Last Friday marked the match-up of MIAA opponents as Fort Hays State University and the Missouri Southern Lion’s volleyball teams faced off.  The match was held at the home of the Tigers in Fort Hays Kansas.

The match lasted three games.  The Lions fell in each game with the scores of 25-20, 25-15, and 25-23. Junior defensive specialist Kamri Nehls lead the team with 10 digs.

On the 26th the Lions traveled to Kearney to face the ninth ranked University of Nebraska-Kearney Lopers. UNK hit well throughout the match, giving the Lions a difficult time while on defense.  The Lopers did not hold back, taking the first three games to win the match.

Tuesday night was Senior “Spike or Treat” NIght for the Lions as they faced fifth ranked MIAA opponent Central Missouri.

As junior outside hitter Katie Politte explains, “We came out with a lot of fire tonight.  That’s what kept us up with Central. We let down in the second set, but almost took that third from them. We brought more energy and communicated more, but just a few minor errors set us back.”

Sophomore middle hitter Callie Whetstone had seven hits and three blocks.

The Lions stayed right behind UCM throughout the match other than the second game, in which Central hit .565 and had a 80 percent side-out mark that helped them lead from start to finish.

Today the Lions will face Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph for the second time this season. In early October, the Griffons took the match three sets to two. The Griffons led the first three sets, but the Lions attempted a comeback. Southern took the lead early in the fourth, but the Griffons took back the lead and won the final set 8-2.

Erica Rottinghaus and Sarah Faubel were key players for Missouri Western, sothe match tonight should be a very close one.

Tomorrow the Lions will continue their six-game road trip to Northwest Missouri State University for yet another MIAA conference game.  Last time the two teams meet up in September, NMSU took the match after three sets to one.

Politte led the Lions in kills in the previous games againist Western and Northwest.

Next Tuesday the Lions will head to the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith to play a non-conference match at 7 p.m. The break in MIAA teams should give the Lions a different type of game for the following two conference games.