Sept. 3, 2011

Box Score

SAN DIEGO, Calif. -

Missouri State hit a season-high .380 and three players had 10 or more kills in a 3-0 volleyball victory over Northeastern Saturday afternoon at the USD Invitational in San Diego. The Bears won by set scores of 25-18, 25-20 and 25-22.

The Bears' offense rolled in the first set to the tune of 17 kills against three errors on 28 attacks for a .500 hitting percentage. Missouri State took control at 15-12 for the first three-point lead by either side, while Christine McCartney had five kills on five swings and Calli Norman began 4-for-4 and finished with five kills as well.

Missouri State (4-1) opened the second set on a 4-1 run but Northeastern (2-2) quickly gained momentum and pushed its lead to three at 14-11. Consecutive kills from Karen Rivatto made for a 15-all tie and two NU attack errors handed the Bears a 17-15 lead. The Huskies never got closer than two points from there as MSU scored 16 more kills and hit .355 in the period.

The Bears dominated early in the third set, leading by 10 points as quickly as 16-6, but the Huskies clawed back and cut the lead to one point at 19-18 before tying at 20-20. McCartney answered each of those NU points with kills and Missouri State went on a 4-1 closing run after Northeastern tied again at 21 to earn the win.

Norman and Rivatto tied for team high honors with 12 kills each, hitting .625 and .360, respectively. McCartney turned 14 attacks into 10 kills and hit .643, and Kelley Michnowicz hit .500 with seven kills.

Ashley Mason's 13 digs led the way and Carly Thomas handed out 38 assists.

The Bears close the tournament at 9 p.m. against 20th-ranked San Diego.