Volleyball Comes Oh So Close To a Reverse Sweep Over SEMO Before Falling in Final Set

BOX SCORE

MOREHEAD, Ky. -- Morehead State volleyball nearly pulled off a reverse sweep over visiting Southeast Missouri Saturday, having rallied from two sets down and leading 14-12 in the fifth frame. But the Redhawks had others plans, and they themselves engineered a four-point rally to thwart the Eagles comeback attempt as SEMO left eastern Kentucky with a 3-2 win and a weekend sweep over MSU.

The Eagles slipped to 8-11 overall and 4-4 in the conference. SEMO moved to 6-1 in the OVC and 9-11 overall.

SEMO controlled the opening set to win 25-14 and then edged the Eagles 25-23 in set two. However, MSU put together back-to-back 25-23 wins to force the finale. A service error by yhe visitors late in the set had MSU on the verge of the win leading 14-12. But, three straight kills turned the momentum, and a solo block by the Redhawks Alaina Lester ended the match.

Morehead State's stats were highlighted by a pair of double-doubles. Junior outside M.E. Hargan led the team with 16 kills and added 15 digs for her second double-double in as many matches and her 13th career. Sophomore Setter Sydney established two career highs for her double-double as she piled up 32 assists and came up with 12 digs. 

Hargan was one of three Eagles in double figure kills. Sophomore Hollan Everett landed 14, while sophomore Amelia Nott secured 12 points via kills and also led the squad with eight total blocks. Nott hit .320. Junior Sydney Wyman hit .391 off 11 kills.

Morehead State had the upperhand in team kills, leading 69-66. Both teams recorded 10 blocks, but SEMO managed to land eight aces while MSU served up 10 errors.

Southeast Missouri libero Nina Schuberth stuffed the stat sheet with 39 digs to go along with 14 assists. Abby Johnson, who had two critical kills to give her team a 15-14 lead in the final set, managed to lead all players with 18 terminations. 

Opposite of Friday's match where there were only right total ties all night, Saturday's match was much more back and forth. There were 44 ties and 17 lead changes in the five sets.

The Eagles will continue OVC action next weekend at SIUE on Friday at 7 p.m. ET and Saturday at 3 p.m. ET.