Springfield Standard

Missouri State University's volleyball team achieved a season-best .343 hitting percentage in a three-set win over New Mexico State on Friday at Hammons Student Center. This match marked the Bears' first home Conference USA victory of the season.

The Bears, now 7-11 overall and 2-5 in Conference USA play, committed only eight attack errors during the match. They finished each set with decisive runs to secure set scores of 25-18, 25-20, and 26-24.

Brooke Eslinger opened the match with two of her career-high four service aces during a 5-0 run. New Mexico State responded to take a 12-11 lead in the first set, but Missouri State pulled away from a 16-all tie with a 9-2 run. The Bears hit .308 in the first set and held the Aggies to a .114 hitting efficiency.

In the second set, four different Missouri State players contributed kills during a 6-1 run to an 11-6 lead. New Mexico State tied the set at 20 before Missouri State scored five straight points to take the set. The Bears recorded 16 kills with only one error in the second frame.

Missouri State did not lead in the third set until 15-14 and later moved ahead 19-17 with a block by Chloe Judd and Hannah Gardner. After both teams exchanged scoring runs, New Mexico State reached set point at 24-22. Peyton McKee then delivered her 11th and 12th kills to tie the score at 24. Two consecutive errors by New Mexico State gave Missouri State the sweep.

McKee led Missouri State with 12 kills on a .393 hitting percentage. Rilynn Finley added 10 kills on .389 hitting, and Lizanyela Lopez contributed nine kills with a .381 efficiency. Gardner finished with six kills, 18 assists, and eight digs. Lopez had four blocks, while Kya Johnson recorded 11 digs.

Missouri State trailed New Mexico State in total kills (45 to 46) and digs (44 to 49), but led in attack efficiency (.343 to .207), service aces (5 to 2), and blocks (6 to 5).

The teams are scheduled to play again at 1 p.m. on Saturday.