This weekend the Missouri Southern volleyball team lost in straight sets on Friday, dropping a 3-0 match at Truman State. Individual set scores were 20-25, 14-25, and 14-25.

The Lions (0-27, 0-15 MIAA) were led by junior Nai Montano with five kills, while sophomore Katie Politte and freshman Cheyanne Crandall had four kills each. Junior Sydney Potts dished out 10 assists; while sophomore Danielle Severns had a team-high 12 digs.

“We played our best match against Truman,” Head Coach Trish Knight said. “We really played well in the first game against them. They are presently ranked 13th in the country and are a very good team.”

Truman (25-4, 13-2 MIAA) was led by Allie Brak with 15 kills. Meghan Zimmerman had 35 assists.

On Saturday, the MSSU volleyball team dropped the sets 3-1 against Southwest Baptist University. Southern had double-figure kills from both Katie Politte and Nai Montano, but that wasn’t enough to seal the win. Individual set scores were 26-24, 14-25, 15-25, and 17-25.

“I think our players are really frustrated with not winning and I see them getting frustrated with themselves,” Knight said. “They have to learn how to shake things off and go to the next play. I know they realize the potential we have. We are just a year away from being strong enough physically to hold up in a tough conference.”

The Lions (0-28, 0-16 MIAA) were led by Politte with16 kills and nine digs. Montano added 10 kills, while Potts had a double-double with 17 assists and 16 digs. Freshman Abby Finder had 15 assists, while Severns added 14 digs.

SBU (10-21, 2-14 MIAA) had three with double-figure kills, led by 20 kills and a .425 attack average from Mackynzi Gibson.

“As far as improvement, I think we have really come a long way,” Knight said. Just the fact that we have had to adjust to so many injuries and people have stepped up and done their best to play a new position should build some real strength of character and help us be stronger in the future.”

After a rough weekend on the road the Missouri Southern volleyball team returned home on Tuesday, Nov. 6, to take on Lindenwood University. Individual set scores were 18-25, 16-25 and 21-25.

Southern (0-29, 0-17 MIAA) were led offensively by Senior Aleisha Joyce with five kills and a .364 attack average. Katie Politte added eight kills, while Callie Whetstone had six. Abby Finder had a team-high 13 assists, while Sydney Potts added 12. Danielle Severns had 12 digs.

“To our fans, I would say to be patient with us,” Knight said. “We are on the right track. I know that sounds ridiculous when you haven’t won a match. This is a tough conference, which is hard for a program in the building process to have success in. Next season will be more of an accurate gage of where we are headed. Our young kids will have experience that will show up when we get on the court next season.”

The Lions will finish out the regular season at home this Saturday against Pittsburg State at 7 p.m. in the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center. The game will be for the Sonic Trophy point between the two schools and will serve as senior day for the two seniors, Aleisha Joyce and Shakila Balkhi.