FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 5, 2008

Lions split in first day of MSSU Invitational

DBU Box Score | Central Oklahoma Box Score

Joplin, Mo. -- It was a tale of two teams today as the Missouri Southern Volleyball team rebounded from a 3-2 defeat against Dallas Baptist to sweep Central Oklahoma 3-0 and split their opening matches in the 2008 Missouri Southern Invitational.

Southern (2-4) split the first four sets against Dallas Baptist (4-3) and despite out-hitting DBU .208-.136 in the final set, fell to the Lady Pioneers in the decisive frame. Individual set scores were 23-25, 25-22, 20-25, 25-18 and 15-13.

Jeana Feldman had 18 kills and 16 digs in the match, while Amelia Judge hit .538 with 15 kills and six blocks. Sarah Joles added 39 assists, while Kari Hammerbacher recorded 18 digs.

The Lions came right back and faced off with Central Oklahoma and promptly took care of the visiting Bronchos in just 59 minutes to pick up their second win of the season. The Lions hit .306 in the first set, .478 in the second and were errorless in the final set, hitting .375 en route to the sweep. Set scores were 25-18, 25-11 and 25-18.

Stephanie Williams led the Lions with 10 kills and 13 digs, hitting .375 in the match. Joles added 29 assists, while Hammerbacher picked up 13 digs. Brittany Vavao-Huggins had eight kills, no errors and hit .615 as the Lions hit .374 as a team.

The Lions will be back in action tomorrow facing off with Midwestern State at 10 am, and then finishing the tournament with a match at 4 pm with Drury. Midwestern State is a perfect 6-0 on the season and have yet to drop a set.