JOPLIN, Mo. – University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Volleyball dropped its first match of the MIAA In-Season Tournament Wednesday, falling 21-25, 23-25, 25-18, 17-25 at Missouri Southern.
Lydia Pitts was the lone Lion with double figure kills with 16 while totaling a double-double with 10 digs. Grace Marshall added nine kills and 11 digs for the Lions while Aspen Olson hit .316 to go with eight kills.
Mayli Whetter dished out 24 assists and had nine digs in the defeat.
UAFS hit just .103 compared to .289 for Missouri Southern in the opening set as the hosts erased a 4-0 deficit to start the match for an 18-12 lead. UAFS pulled back within two but was unable to take the opening set.
Missouri Southern used an 8-1 run early in set two and led by as many as seven before UAFS held off five set points. MSSU then finished off the set with a kill for a 2-0 lead.
Both teams hit over .300 in the third set as UAFS extended the match by scoring nine of the last 11 points in the set. Missouri Southern then broke an 11-11 tie in the fourth set with a 10-1 run and hit .342 in the frame to put the match away.
Emily Parker recorded seven blocks for the Lions as UAFS had 11-7 edge in blocks at the net.
UAFS closes out the In-Season Tournament Thursday at 6 p.m. against No. 25 Central Oklahoma in Joplin.
