SPRINGFIELD -- Behind 14 kills on 20 swings from senior Lynsey Wright, the Missouri State volleyball team hit a season-high .354 in a 25-18, 25-12, 25-18 sweep of visiting Chattanooga Thursday evening in the opening match of the Dr. Mary Jo Wynn Invitational at Hammons Student Center.

The Bears (7-3) jumped out to an 11-5 lead in the first set on a Lily Johnson solo block, and got a block and a kill from MacKenzie Irwin during a 4-0 run to lead 16-9. MSU led by at least six points for the duration of the set, accumulating 27 digs and five blocks to hold the Mocs (7-5) to a .061 attack efficiency.

Missouri State's offense piled up 18 kills and hit .533 in the second set, racing to a 7-1 lead and getting five kills apiece from Wright and Lily Johnson. 

The third set saw seven ties and six early lead changes, the last coming during a 7-0 run that put the Bears ahead 15-9 and included three kills and a block from Wright. MSU led by at least four points after that and hit .400 in the final set.

Johnson added nine kills without and error, and Irwin matched career highs with seven kills and five blocks. Chattanooga hit .131 and the Bears held leads of 45-32 in kills, 49-41 in digs and 9-4 in blocks. Emily Butters had a match-high 17 digs, and Johnson and Emelie Orlando each served two aces.

The Bears are in action again Friday at 6 p.m. against Washington State (8-1) in a battle between teams ranked just outside the AVCA Top 25.