FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 26, 2007

Lions suffer five game loss at home to SBU

Box Score

Joplin, Mo. -- For the second time in as many matches, the Missouri Southern volleyball team went into the fifth game of a match only to fall in five, losing at home today to Southwest Baptist, three games to two. Individual game scores were 33-31, 29-31, 21-30, 30-19 and 15-11.

Southern moves to 10-10 on the season and 1-6 in the MIAA. It was only the 10th win for the Lady Bearcats in the series history and the first for SBU since November 1, 2000, when SBU defeated MSSU in four games in Joplin.

The Lions thought they had game one wrapped up but an apparent kill from Brittany Vavao-Huggins was called back after she was in the net. SBU (8-13, 2-4 MIAA) rebounded and took game one 33-31.

Southern would have 20 kills again in game two and the game would go extra points once again, but this time the Lions were victorious, 31-29. The Lions controlled game three from the get go, hitting .213 and limiting the Lady Cats to a .104 attack percentage, winning 30-21.

In game four it was all about defense for SBU. The Lady Bearcats had six team blocks in that game alone and soundly defeated the Lions, 30-19.

After jumping out to a 4-0 lead in game five, SBU led 8-3 at the turn. The Lions cut the lead to two  (13-11) on an ace from Sarah Joles, but SBU got kills from Trish Hammerschmidt and Kinsey Palmer to end the match.

Sarah Hoffmeister had 19 kills and 25 digs for the Lions. Ashlee Russell hit .342 with 17 kills and 12 digs, while Joles added 37 assists and 13 digs. Erin Mitchem had a double-double of her own with 28 assists and 10 digs, and Ashley Wright and Cherie Baugh had 11 kills, each. Kari Hammerbacher had a team-high 29 digs on the night.

SBU got a triple double from setter Chelsea Kenney. Kenney had 10 kills, 43 assists and 28 digs, while Shryah Perry had a match high 34 digs.

The Lions will be back in action Tuesday, October 2 traveling to Northwest Missouri for a 7 pm match with the Lady Bearcats.