Bears Handle Southern Illinois For Sixth Straight Win
October 10, 2009 | Women's Volleyball
The Missouri State volleyball fought team through a difficult first set before cruising to a sweep of visiting Southern Illinois Friday in a 25-23, 25-19, 25-13 Missouri Valley Conference victory over the Salukis at Hammons Student Center in Springfield.
The Bears improved to 13-4 overall and 6-0 in the MVC with their sixth win a row, while SIU fell to 13-3 and 3-3 in the league.
Southern Illinois led for most of the first set, by as many as five points at 10-5, before MSU took its first lead at 12-11. SIU continued to play well, but MSU’s Calli Norman took over with the Salukis ahead 18-17, recording two kills and a block to help the Bears go ahead 20-19. The Salukis tied it following an attack error, but the Bears were able to close it out with two Addie Foley kills for the final two points.
Though SIU hit .212 in the first set, it was the MSU defense that kept the Bears within striking distance, as Cara Hackmann scooped 11 digs and Kelley Michnowicz provided two of MSU’s three blocks. Hackmann finished the match with 23 digs, moving from 15th to a tie for 11th on MSU’s career list.
The defense clamped down in the next two sets, holding SIU’s offense to .143 and .000 hitting efficiencies in the final two frames, while the offense stepped up to hit .435 in the second set and .298 for the match. Missouri State began the second set on a 5-0 run and third on a 6-2 spurt, never trailing in either period.
Foley had 11 kills and hit .409, Norman hit .429 with seven kills, and Megan Bess notched a match-high 12 kills, her career best for a three-setter. Melissa Gmur logged a double-double with 34 assists and 11 digs.
Missouri State hosts Evansville (10-8, 3-3) at 7 p.m. Saturday. The Purple Aces fell 3-1 at Wichita State Friday.
The Bears improved to 13-4 overall and 6-0 in the MVC with their sixth win a row, while SIU fell to 13-3 and 3-3 in the league.
Southern Illinois led for most of the first set, by as many as five points at 10-5, before MSU took its first lead at 12-11. SIU continued to play well, but MSU’s Calli Norman took over with the Salukis ahead 18-17, recording two kills and a block to help the Bears go ahead 20-19. The Salukis tied it following an attack error, but the Bears were able to close it out with two Addie Foley kills for the final two points.
Though SIU hit .212 in the first set, it was the MSU defense that kept the Bears within striking distance, as Cara Hackmann scooped 11 digs and Kelley Michnowicz provided two of MSU’s three blocks. Hackmann finished the match with 23 digs, moving from 15th to a tie for 11th on MSU’s career list.
The defense clamped down in the next two sets, holding SIU’s offense to .143 and .000 hitting efficiencies in the final two frames, while the offense stepped up to hit .435 in the second set and .298 for the match. Missouri State began the second set on a 5-0 run and third on a 6-2 spurt, never trailing in either period.
Foley had 11 kills and hit .409, Norman hit .429 with seven kills, and Megan Bess notched a match-high 12 kills, her career best for a three-setter. Melissa Gmur logged a double-double with 34 assists and 11 digs.
Missouri State hosts Evansville (10-8, 3-3) at 7 p.m. Saturday. The Purple Aces fell 3-1 at Wichita State Friday.
Players Mentioned
Outside Hitter
/ Women's Volleyball
Outside Hitter
/ Women's Volleyball
Setter
/ Women's Volleyball
Outside Hitter/Defensive Specialist
/ Women's Volleyball
Right Side Hitter
/ Women's Volleyball
Middle Blocker
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