Sept. 5, 2012

Box Score

MANHATTAN, Kan.-- The Missouri State volleyball team continued its difficult early-season schedule Wednesday evening with a 25-19, 25-22, 25-15 loss at 22nd-ranked Kansas State. The Bears (3-5) kept things close for two sets before the Wildcats (7-0) completed their sixth sweep in seven matches this season.

The Wildcats hit a blistering .370 in the first set while taking advantage of nine Missouri State attack errors, five of which were the result of KSU blocks. Sophomore Kaitlin Jaeger's fast start resulted in her fifth kill making the score 12-12, and Shelby Strang followed with an ace for a 13-12 lead. Andrea Beaty's kill gave MSU its last lead at 14-13, as Kansas State's 5-0 run gave the home team a 22-16 advantage before six sideouts finished the period.

Despite the close final score, Missouri State never led in the second set after falling behind 2-0. After three early ties, the Wildcats used a 3-0 run to lead 7-4 and held the Bears at arm's length from there.

The Bears again played the Wildcats close to open the third set before KSU turned a 9-8 lead into a 20-12 score. Kansas State continued to fire on all cylinders offensively, hitting .429 in the final stanza to finish at .319 for the match compared to .149 for the Bears.

Christine McCartney finished with 10 kills to lead MSU, and five other players finished with between four and six. Ashley Mason led all players with 13 digs. Kansas State had 16 blocks compared to four for the Bears.

Kaitlynn Pelger, who had an exceptional match against the Bears last season in Springfield, once again led the way for KSU with 11 kills and 10 blocks.

The Bears are back in action Friday and Saturday as they host UConn, Nebraska-Omaha, New Orleans and Northern Illinois in the Dr. Mary Jo Wynn/Doubletree Hotel Invitational at Hammons Student Center. MSU plays UConn at 7:30 p.m. Friday, New Orleans at noon Saturday and Northern Illinois at 7:30 that same evening.