Springfield Standard

For the second consecutive day, Liberty University’s volleyball team defeated Missouri State in a close five-set match at Hammons Student Center. The contest, which took place on Senior Day, ended with set scores of 23-25, 25-19, 22-25, 25-21, and 15-9 in favor of the Flames.

Liberty improved its record to 20-7 overall and 8-6 in Conference USA play. Missouri State dropped to 10-15 for the season and 5-9 in league competition but remains ahead of Delaware for the final spot in the upcoming CUSA Tournament with two matches left.

Missouri State finished its home schedule with an 8-5 record this year. This marks the 45th time in 49 seasons that the Bears have posted a winning record at Hammons Student Center.

The match saw Missouri State take an early lead after an eight-point run in the first set. Liberty answered by hitting .483 in the second set for a win. In the third set, Missouri State built a six-point lead and held off Liberty’s comeback attempt, aided by Brooke Eslinger’s two service aces.

Liberty responded with a late rally in the fourth set and carried momentum into the fifth, where they hit .556 with twelve kills and only two errors to secure victory.

Senior players Rossana Papa and Lizanyela Lopez made significant contributions during their last home appearance. Papa recorded twenty-four assists and seven digs. Lopez posted eleven kills on .345 hitting along with four blocks.

Peyton McKee led Missouri State offensively with fourteen kills. Freshman Chloe Judd registered a career-high twelve kills on .750 hitting. Hannah Garder contributed nine kills, twenty-six assists, and ten digs. Eslinger led defensively with nineteen digs as Missouri State served ten aces during the match.

Liberty outperformed Missouri State in total kills (71 to 59), hitting percentage (.291 to .219), digs (89 to 72), and blocks (14 to 6).

Missouri State will conclude its regular season on November 14 and 15 with away matches against Middle Tennessee.

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