Springfield Standard

Hannah Gardner made Missouri State volleyball history on Friday by becoming the first freshman to record a triple-double in a match. Gardner achieved 13 kills, 22 assists, and 10 digs as the Bears defeated UTSA 3-1 (28-26, 17-25, 25-18, 25-13) during the Dr. Mary Jo Wynn Invitational at Hammons Student Center.

Her performance marked the program’s first triple-double since 2019 and was the 58th overall for Missouri State. It is also the first time a freshman has reached this milestone for the team.

Freshman Peyton McKee contributed with a .500 hitting percentage and totaled 19 kills. Rilynn Finley came off the bench to add 11 kills over two sets, while Jenna Walters recorded nine kills. The Bears finished with a .273 team hitting percentage.

"We had some freshmen step up and play really big tonight," said head coach Steven McRoberts. "Hannah had an incredible match all the way around as the first freshman in school history to get at triple-double. And Peyton on the outside has had two incredibly good, efficient attacking performances on back-to-back nights."

Walters and McKee each had seven kills in the opening set, helping Missouri State secure a close win at 28-26. UTSA responded by taking control early in the second set and leveling the match. Missouri State then dominated play in sets three and four, recording 34 kills and hitting .373 across those sets.

"I'm really proud of Rilynn and how she stepped up and got us back going," McRoberts added. "Our offense in those last two sets was just so efficient, and it's so fun to watch our team play with that energy. It was another great team performance, and we need our fans to come out tomorrow and help us close this home tournament out 3-0."

Defensively, Kya Johnson and Aniya Joseph led with 17 digs each, while Lizanyela Lopez registered eight blocks for her second consecutive match. The Bears held UTSA to a .170 hitting percentage.

Missouri State will compete for the tournament championship against DePaul on Saturday at 3 p.m.