Southeast Missouri State spikers swept by Missouri State

The Southeast Missouri State volleyball team fell to in-state foe Missouri State Monday in three sets, falling 19-25, 19-25, 21-25 at Houck Field House.

The Redhawks dropped to 6-14 on the season, while the Bears improved to 12-7.

"Realistically, we didn't have a lack of offense as our middles really put the ball away well. When it comes down to it, if we can't pass them the ball, we can't win sets," Southeast coach Julie Yankus said in a press release.

Missouri State jumped out to an early lead on Southeast in the opening set. Five-straight points by the Bears early in the set gave them a healthy advantage and they stayed ahead for the win. Missouri State recorded five of their eight blocks on the night in the first set.

The Redhawks played the Bears much closer in the second set. The score was tied eight times and the lead changed four times. The teams were knotted at 16-16 when three consecutive points gave Missouri State the momentum it needed for a 2-0 advantage. Southeast junior middle blocker Taylor Masterson had five kills in the second set while hitting .571.

In the third set, the score was tied nine times and the lead changed hands four times. The final tie came at 20-20, and the Redhawks made an attack error and a ball-handling error to send the Bears on their way to the sweep.

Masterson finished the match with 12 kills and a .500 hitting percentage. Fellow middle blocker Nzingha Clarke contributed eight kills with a .462 hitting clip. Kelsey Keeve and Masterson each had four blocks while Clarke had three.

"As I said, our middles did great today," Yankus said. "Taylor had a great percentage and when we passed her a hittable ball, she almost always got a kill."

The Redhawks' homestand continues Friday when they host Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville at 6:30 p.m. The Redhawks will host Eastern Illinois University at 5 p.m. Saturday.