FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 15, 2008

Lions fall at home to 15th ranked Pittsburg State 3-1

Box Score

Joplin, Mo. -- Despite six blocks in the first set and 11 overall, the Missouri Southern volleyball team couldn't get past a potent Pittsburg State offense as the 15th ranked Gorillas defeated the Lions three to one tonight in Young Gymnasium. Individual set scores were 25-16, 22-25, 25-21 and 25-17.

Southern (6-15, 1-8 MIAA) fell behind 8-3 in the first set, and trailed 11-6, but forced a PSU timeout after a Gorilla service error. The score would be 15-10 PSU before a Southern timeout, but the Gorillas finished off the first set on a 10-6 run.

PSU (20-5, 6-4 MIAA) had an outstanding offensive night, hitting .324 as a team.

The Lions evened the match up in the second set and opened it up with a 9-3 run to start things. A kill from Ashley Hill made the score 10-4. Three straight PSU points, however would force a Southern timeout. The Lions would trail just once in the set and won on a kill from Hill.

The Gorillas hit .444 in the third set and .333 in the final set to finish off the match.

Hill led the Lions with 14 kills and nine digs. Kara Robeson had 10 kills, hit .389 and added four blocks. Elin Skei had 26 assists, while Sarah Joles added 18 of her own. Kari Hammerbacher had a team-high 13 digs.

PSU's Linda Igbinigie hit .727 with 17 kills and just one error, leading four Gorillas with double-digit kills.

The Lions will be back in action when they travel to Southwest Baptist on October 17 for a 7 pm match.