Sept. 25, 2011
Box Score
NACOGDOCHES, Texas -
Missouri State's six-match volleyball winning streak came to an end Sunday afternoon in a 20-25, 25-17, 22-25, 20-25 loss at Stephen F. Austin.
Just two days after a road sweep of Wichita State, the Bears (10-4) were surprised by SFA (8-9) in their final non-conference match of the season.
The Bears did not lead in the first set after a 3-2 score as SFA hit .361 and committed just two errors compared to eight for the Bears. Missouri State closed to 17-16 and 21-19 but could regain the advantage as the Ladyjacks closed on a 4-1 run.
The Missouri State defense smothered SFA in the second set, holding the Ladyjacks to just three kills and a -.219 hitting percentage. Despite that and five MSU blocks, the result was very much in doubt after SFA cut Missouri State's 14-8 lead to 18-17. From there, Christine McCartney turned the momentum with consecutive kills and added another before teaming with ex-Ladyjack Amber Doolittle for the set-ending block as the Bears closed on a 7-0 run to tie the match at 1-1.
The Bears quickly found themselves in a 6-1 hole in the third set and struggled to get anything going as they were forced to use their second timeout of the set facing a 13-6 deficit. The Ladyjacks pushed their lead to 15-6 after the stoppage and kept it at six or better to 23-14. The Bears went on an 8-1 run from there, spoiling six SFA set points in the process before the Ladyjacks finally got a kill for the win.
It was Missouri State opening strong in the fourth set with a 7-3 run to start. The Bears continued to apply pressure as McCartney kills gave MSU five-point leads at 12-7 and 13-8, and the sophomore outside hitter scored another to stop an SFA run after the Ladyjacks tied the set at 13-all. The set was tied at 14 and 15 before MSU scored two points and held the lead to 19-17 when SFA went on an 8-1 run to close out the match.
McCartney led all players with 18 kills while Calli Norman had 12 on .368 hitting. SFA's leader had 10 kills but the Ladyjacks had five players with at least seven and hit .180 to .166 for the Bears.
Ashley Mason led the Bears with 19 digs and Anna Burgess had a career-high 14. Carly Thomas had a double-double with 47 assists and 10 digs.
Missouri State continues its current four-match road trip Friday (Sept. 30) at Bradley for a 7 p.m. match.
