BOX SCORE
EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. -- Led by an efficient attack effort in sets three and four and four aces in set five, Morehead State volleyball pulled off a reverse sweep at SIUE Friday night, handing the Cougars their seventh loss in a five-set match this season.
The crucial comeback win pushed MSU above .500 in the OVC at 5-4 and to 9-11 overall. It marked the program's first win in Edwardsville since 2012 after dropping the last five matches against SIUE on its home court.
After falling behind 2-0, the Eagles responded with a 25-17 win in set three. In set four, MSU trailed 22-21 late but thwarted SIUE's win attempt in the set as it outscored the Cougars 5-2 to pull out a 26-24 triumph. Defensive specialist
Courtney Fitzgerald led a rally in the finale with a pair of aces as MSU pulled it out 15-12.
In sets three and four combined, the Eagles had an incredible 32 kills with just two errors. The Eagles tailed 9-7 in set five before Fitzgerald took over on the serve line. She had two aces, fellow back row mate
Peighton Isley had one, and MSU had four kills in an 8-3 run to seal the victory.
Four Eagles finished with double digit kills, led by
Amelia Nott and
Sydney Wyman with 12 each.
M.E. Hargan totaled 11, and
Maycie Welborn had 10. Hargan also posted her fourth double-double in as many matches with 12 digs, her sixth double-double this season.
After committing 12 errors in the first two sets, MSU cut that total in half for the remaining three frames.Â
MSU also got a nice match from freshman
Sarah Heath. Seeing her first significant action, and playing all five sets, she had five kills and no errors and added a career-high four blocks.
Although out-dug 76-55 by the home team, Isley's 16 scoops led the team. Setters
Sydney Sennett Brenna Bommer both had 24 assists as MSU now has at least 40 assists and 50 digs in 16 of the last 17 matches.
MSU will meet SIUE again on Saturday on the Cougars' floor. Match time is 3 p.m. ET, but it will not be carried on ESPN+.
