Springfield Standard

Missouri State's volleyball team lost a close five-set match to Jacksonville State on Friday in Jacksonville, Alabama. The Bears won the first two sets but could not maintain their lead, eventually falling 29-27, 25-18, 19-25, 13-25, 7-15 in Conference USA play.

Lexi Weinberg led Missouri State with a season-high 13 kills and four aces. Rilynn Finley added 12 kills for her seventh double-digit performance of the season. Brooke Eslinger recorded a team-best 16 digs, while Lizanyela Lopez contributed seven blocks.

Jacksonville State responded after dropping the first two sets by increasing its offensive output and defensive pressure. The Gamecocks finished with 76 kills—the most allowed by Missouri State this season—including 27 from Kayla Williams. In the final three sets, Jacksonville State limited Missouri State to just 15 total kills.

In the opening set, Missouri State overcame a six-point deficit and rallied from a 24-19 disadvantage to win 29-27. Key plays included two crucial kills by Lopez and a block from Grace Smith and Finley that gave the Bears their first lead at 27-26. Peyton McKee secured the set with her only kill.

The Bears dominated the second set using an extended run to turn a tie into a significant lead before winning 25-18. However, Jacksonville State controlled the third set without trailing and closed it out on an 8-3 run following a kill by Amaya Tolentino.

Set four saw Jacksonville State hit .458 as they tied the match with a decisive victory. Despite an early lead by Missouri State in the fifth set through three straight blocks, Jacksonville State went on a six-point run and ultimately won the final set behind strong serving and five more kills from Tolentino.

Missouri State will face Jacksonville State again on Saturday at 1 p.m., then return home for four consecutive matches against New Mexico State (October 17–18) and LA Tech (October 24–25) at Hammons Student Center.