Volleyball wraps up tough season this weekend

Head+coach+Kalie+Mader+%28front%29+and+Assistant+coach+Abolonle+Onipede+look+out+onto+the+court+during+their+game+against+Northwest+Missouri+State+in+the+Leggett+%26amp%3B+Platt+Athletic+Center+on+Friday%2C+Sept.+21%2C+in+Joplin%2C+Mo.Elaine+Parrigon+%7C+The+Chart%C2%A0

Head coach Kalie Mader (front) and Assistant coach Abolonle Onipede look out onto the court during their game against Northwest Missouri State in the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center on Friday, Sept. 21, in Joplin, Mo.Elaine Parrigon | The Chart 

Since the last issue of The Chart was out on campus, on Friday, Oct. 12, the Lions have went 1-6. They have only won four sets during that span as well. Thus meaning they have been swept in five of their six losses. Their lone win came against Southwest Baptist at home, on Tuesday, Oct. 16. 

That particular match went five sets and saw the Lions win the first two, the Bearcats win the next two, and the Lions take the fifth and final set. Set scores were 25-18, 25-21, 22-25, 19-25, and 15-10. That win would make the Lions 3-19. 

Today the Lions sit at 3-23.

After that win the Lions would go on to lose four in a row. Being swept in all four matches. The opponents the Lions faced in those four losses were Pittsburg State, Central Oklahoma, Northwest Missouri State, and Missouri Western. 

After seeing such a big improvement between the 2016 and 2017 seasons, the Lions have had drastically worse season in 2018. With the change of head coach and the loss of some experienced players they have done anything but build off of an improvement season. 

With changes their can be difficulties, and the Lions have faced many this season. Not to mention, the quality of competition inside this MIAA conference they play in. 

The Lions will be finishing their season up on the road this weekend. On Friday night at 6 p.m. the Lions will be in Warrensburg, Missouri to face the Jennies of Central Missouri. Last time these two teams met, UCM won easily in a quick three sets. On Saturday, the Lions will be in St. Charles, Missouri to take on Lindenwood University. Last time these Lions teams faced off Lindenwood came out on top after taking the final three sets. Southern was unable to finish off a great start when winning the first two sets.