SPRINGFIELD - The Missouri State beach volleyball team (18-5) put together a perfect Senior Day with a pair of sweeps against Southwest Baptist and Ottawa (Kansas) in the Bears' first matches at Betty & Bobby Allison Sand Volleyball Courts.

It was a storybook day for Brooke Plessner, one of three seniors honored on Saturday along with Addison Crider and Olivia Muriel. Plessner became the program's all-time leader in career wins with 40, surpassing Grace Cook's 39 victories.

The Bears will be back on the road one final time in the regular season next week as they travel to Conway, Arkansas for the Beach Bear Clash hosted by Central Arkansas.

Missouri State 5 - Southwest Baptist 0

Plessner and Maddie Schrandt started the day strong at flight No. 5 as they were the first to conclude their opening match against SBU's Julia Becker and Ryan Russell, a different pairing from the one the Bears saw against the Bearcats earlier in the season at Volleyball Beach Ozark. After starting the first set in a 3-7 hole, Missouri State went on a 9-0 run that ended with three straight aces from Plessner. Schrandt had consecutive aces before Plessner ended the first set with another ace herself. The second set was very similar with SBU taking the lead using a 5-0 run before Missouri State went on an 8-0 run that ended the match, 21-11, 21-15.

Muriel was aided in her perfect senior day by Erin Eschleman at flight No. 3 against Janel Pido and Carlee Lill. The Bears jumped to a 9-2 lead in the first set, but the Bearcats closed the gap with three straight points. Muriel and Eschleman were unfazed as they pulled away with their own 5-0 run to take the first set. The Bears played from behind for a portion of the second set, but a 6-1 run that ended with an MSU ace tied it at 10. The pairs jostled for position before Missouri State picked it up to win, 21-11, 21-17.

Olivia Rattler for the nod at flight No. 4 alongside Allyson Larkin. The two were in complete control against Madison Satterly and Reagan Hoerning. The Bears won the match with identical sets, 21-12, 21-12, to clinch the win for Missouri State.

At flight No. 2, MacKenzie Steele and Amanda Cleary were just as dominant against Katie Pogue and Chandler Lawerence. In a rematch from Mo State Tournament 2 last month, Steele and Cleary improved compared to the first time against the pair. The Bears allowed 13 fewer points this time around to win the match, 21-9, 21-12.

The Bears secured the first overall sweep of the day thanks to Becca Bach and Riley Drew at No. 1 against Bailey Lasater and Gabrielle Belcher, who were also at No. 1 in the first meeting between the teams. Drew made her season debut on a points-paying court. Each team went back and forth at the start of the first set before the Bearcats picked up steam and held on to win their only set of the match, 21-19. Lasater and Belcher were at match point up 21-20 when the Bears called a timely timeout that unlocked a burst of energy that converted to three straight points to force a third set. That energy continued in the deciding set even after dropping the first point. Separate 4-0 and 5-0 runs gave Drew her first win of the season and the Bears the team sweep, 19-21, 23-21, 15-5.

Missouri State 5 - Ottawa (Kansas) 0

The Bears looked even stronger in the afternoon match against the Ottawa Braves, winning each flight via straight-set sweeps.

Once again, Plessner and Schrandt got the upper hand early at No. 5 against Brittan Lee and Brenna Diller. The Bears opened with a 6-1 run and never looked back. The Braves hung around a little longer in the second set but ultimately fell with the Bears winning, 21-8, 21-14. The win marked Plessner's 40th career win at Missouri State, setting a new team record.

"Being able to set the record for wins as an athlete always is a goal, but being able to do it with my teammates on my senior day at our home tournament makes it all the better," Plessner said.

Muriel and Eschleman kept their winning ways going at No. 3 against Carson Schuman and Radaisy Valdez with a deafening 8-0 run to start the match that turned into a 13-2 lead. Ottawa did quiet the noise with 3-0 runs in the middle of both sets, but a 12-4 Bears lead in the second set was more than enough for Muriel and Eschleman to win, 21-7, 21-9.

Crider also made her season debut at flight No. 4 against Bailee Nickel and Madison Brauner. The honored senior and Rattler had a pair of hard-fought sets in the closest match across the five courts. Ultimately, Crider earned her 15th career win and first of the season, 21-16, 21-17.

Conversely, Bach and Drew were lights out at No. 1 against Kira Cherry and Grace Davis. The Bears opened with a 9-1 run, followed by a 6-0 run in the first set. The last set was very similar with Bach and Drew turning a 3-3 tie to a 10-3 lead. They ended the match with another 6-0 run to win, 21-5, 21-7.

Lastly, Steele and Cleary secured the doubleheader sweep at flight No. 2 against Kennedy Krokroskia and Loraine Ruiz. Steele and Cleary earned their 14th win of the season as a pair by a score of 21-10, 21-13.


Results

Missouri State 5 - Southwest Baptist 0

Flight 1: Becca Bach/Riley Drew (MSU) def. Bailey Lasater/Gabrielle Belcher (SBU): 19-21, 23-21, 15-5

Flight 2: MacKenzie Steele/Amanda Cleary (MSU) def. Katie Pogue/Chandler Lawerence (SBU): 21-9, 21-12

Flight 3: Olivia Muriel/Erin Eschleman (MSU) def. Janel Pido/Carlee Lill (SBU): 21-11, 21-17

Flight 4: Olivia Rattler/Allyson Larkin (MSU) def. Maddison Satterly/Reagan Hoerning (SBU): 21-12, 21-12

Flight 5: Brooke Plessner/Maddie Schrandt (MSU) def. Julia Becker/Ryan Russell (SBU): 21-11, 21-15

Order of Finish: 5, 3, 4, 2, 1


Missouri State 5 - Ottawa (Kansas) 0

Flight 1: Becca Bach/Riley Drew (MSU) def. Kira Cherry/Grace Davis (OU): 21-5, 21-7

Flight 2: MacKenzie Steele/Amanda Cleary (MSU) def. Kennedy Krokoskia/Loraine Ruiz (OU): 21-10, 21-13

Flight 3: Olivia Muriel/Erin Eschleman (MSU) def. Carson Schuman/Radaisy Valdez (OU): 21-7, 21-9

Flight 4: Olivia Rattler/Addison Crider (MSU) def. Bailee Nickel/Madison Brauner (OU): 21-16, 21-17

Flight 5: Brooke Plessner/Maddie Schrandt (MSU) def. Brittan Lee/Brenna Diller (OU): 21-8, 21-14)

Order of Finish: 5, 3, 4, 1, 2