Springfield Standard

Missouri State's volleyball team concluded its first Conference USA weekend series with a 3-0 loss to Florida International University (FIU) on Saturday afternoon at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center in Miami. FIU secured the win with set scores of 26-24, 25-15, and 25-19.

The opening set was closely contested, featuring multiple scoring runs from both teams. Missouri State managed streaks of 6-0 and 5-0, while FIU had an 8-1 run. The score was tied at every point from 20 through 24 before two errors by Missouri State allowed FIU to take the set.

In the second set, FIU built a lead after a 5-0 run made it 10-6. The Panthers further extended their advantage by outpacing Missouri State in kills, recording a 17-4 edge for the set.

The third set saw six ties up to a score of 12-all. After that point, FIU went on a three-point run and maintained the lead for the remainder of the match to complete the sweep.

Peyton McKee and Rilynn Finley led Missouri State with eight kills each as the Bears finished with a season-low total of 25 kills. Kira Givans led all players with 20 kills for FIU.

Defensively, Missouri State tallied 30 digs in the first set and finished with 50 overall compared to FIU’s total of 69 digs. Brooke Eslinger contributed 14 digs and Hannah Gardner added another 11 for Missouri State. Grace Smith recorded six blocks, marking her as the match leader in that category, while Lizanyela Lopez served three aces for the Bears.

Missouri State will return home next week to play against Western Kentucky on October 3 at 6 p.m., followed by another match on October 4 at 1 p.m.