Springfield Standard

Missouri State University secured its first Conference USA volleyball win of the season by defeating Jacksonville State in four sets on Saturday afternoon. The Bears, who improved to 6-11 overall and 1-5 in conference play, overcame an early deficit to win by scores of 22-25, 25-21, 25-18, and 25-23.

Freshman Peyton McKee led Missouri State with 16 kills. The team achieved more than 50 kills for only the sixth time this season and recorded eight service aces, their highest total in a month.

Despite statistical advantages throughout the match, Missouri State had to rally late in the fourth set after Jacksonville State erased a six-point lead with a strong run. Lizanyela Lopez and McKee contributed back-to-back blocks to tie the set at 21. Lopez then scored off a Jacksonville State overpass, leveling the score again before key plays from Weinberg and Hannah Gardner put Missouri State ahead. The match ended when Jacksonville State served into the net.

In the opening set, Missouri State nearly came back from an eight-point deficit but fell short as Jacksonville State closed out with strong attacking. In the second set, McKee’s offense helped Missouri State erase a five-point deficit for a comeback victory.

The third set saw Missouri State pull away after breaking an early tie with a decisive scoring run. Gardner finished that set with her seventh kill.

Missouri State will return home for four consecutive matches at Hammons Student Center against New Mexico State (October 17–18) and LA Tech (October 24–25).