FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 8, 2008

Lions hang tough, but overpowered by 8th ranked Washburn, 3-0

Box Score

Joplin, Mo. --  The Missouri Southern volleyball team came back from a huge deficit in the first set, had set point in the second and led 9-4 to start the third, but couldn't finish in each set and fell to eighth ranked Washburn tonight, 3-0. Individual set scores were 25-18, 27-25 and 25-13.

The Lions (6-12, 1-5 MIAA) fell behind in the first set 11-1, but fought back and cut the lead to three at 17-14 on a kill from Ashley Hill. That would be as close as Southern got in the set, however, as the Lady Blues closed on an 8-5 run.

Washburn (19-2, 4-2 MIAA) and the Lions traded points in the second set with neither team leading by more than two points throughout. The Lions tied the set at 23 on a kill from Hill and went ahead 24-23 after a block form the tandem of Hill and Brittany Vavao-Huggins. Washburn went ahead 25-24 and the Lions tied it again at 25 before two straight points from Washburn gave the Lady Blues the set.

The Lions started strong in the third set and led 9-4 after a kill from Hill led to a Lady Blue timeout. From that point, however, Washburn went on a tear and ended the set on a 21-4 run to take the match.

Southern was led by Hill's nine kills and ten digs. Jeanna Feldman had nine kills and nine digs, while Kari Hammerbacher had 17 digs. Sara Joles and Elin Skei had 17 and 15 assists, respectively.

The Lady Blues had a big match from Mollie Lacy with 15 kills and a .560 attack average. Setter Kate Hampson had 32 assists.

The Lions will be back in action this Friday as they travel to Hays, Kansas to take on Fort Hays State. First serve is slated for 7 pm.