Springfield Standard

Missouri State's volleyball team lost 3-1 to UTEP on Saturday afternoon at Memorial Gym in El Paso, Texas. The Miners, who lead Conference USA with a 21-3 overall record and an 11-1 mark in conference play, defeated the Bears (10-13, 5-7) by set scores of 25-14, 23-25, 25-19, and 25-18.

UTEP started strong by converting its first eight attacks into kills and finished the opening set with a .429 hitting percentage and five aces. Missouri State responded in the second set, which featured 17 ties and nine lead changes. The Bears took their largest lead at 17-14 after a run that included two aces and a kill from Hannah Gardner. UTEP answered with its own run before Missouri State closed out the set with a block from Grace Smith and Peyton McKee along with two UTEP errors to even the match.

In the third set, Missouri State overcame two separate four-point deficits but could not recover after UTEP went on a late six-point run. The fourth set saw the Bears nearly erase an early deficit, getting as close as two points behind before UTEP secured the win with an 8-3 finishing stretch.

Rilynn Finley led Missouri State with 13 kills. Brooke Eslinger had a team-high 18 digs while Rossana Papa recorded 23 assists. Both Grace Smith and Lizanyela Lopez contributed four blocks each.

Statistically, UTEP held advantages in hitting percentage (.316 to .175), kills (59 to 44), digs (56 to 55), and aces (10 to 7). Missouri State led in blocks (8 to 7).

Missouri State will conclude its home schedule next weekend when it hosts Liberty for matches on November 7th and November 8th at Hammons Student Center.