Politte honored; MSSU spikers lose to Emporia State

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

The Missouri Southern volleyball team saw a few records fall Friday, but the Lions couldn't pull out the win, falling three sets to one tonight at home to Emporia State. Individual set scores were 21-25, 16-25, 25-18 and 19-25.

The Lions (6-19, 3-14 MIAA) honored Katie Politte (pictured) before the match started as the senior garnered her 1,000th kill earlier in the month. Callie Whestone had 15 kills, hit .636, and nine block assists on the night, giving her 122 block assists on the season and breaking the previous record of 115, held by Ashley Mehrer set in 2006. The team also set the single-season block assists record tonight, as the 27 on the evening gave the Lions 379 on the season, breaking the previous mark of 357 set in 2004.

Abby Finder dished out 39 assists and had 11 digs in the match, while Politte added nine kills and seven digs.Krishna Merriman had seven kills, while Katie Wiele had a team-high 14 digs.

Emporia State (12-10, 8-9 MIAA) had three register double-figures for kills, led by 16 from Carly Spicer.

Sets one and two were all Hornets as the opener saw just one tie and no lead changes and set two ESU led from start to finish.

In the third set, the Lions jumped out to an 8-5 lead, forcing a Hornet's timeout. The lead was 14-8 after a kill from Payton Graves forced another ESU timeout. The Loins led 18-10 after an ESU attack error, and the Hornets got to within two (20-18), but the Lions scored the final five points of the set to take the third.

The fourth set saw three tied scores and two lead changes, but Emporia used a 9-2 run midway through the set to go up 14-10 and led from there on out.

MSSU soccer loses to Southwest Baptist in final home match

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

The Missouri Southern Lions (5-10-2, 3-9-1 MIAA) found themselves not only battling Southwest Baptist (14-3-0, 11-2-0 MIAA) but also the bitter cold temperatures during their final home match of the season.

Southwest Baptist scored three goals in the first half and added a fourth early on in the second to defeat the Lions. For Southern Hannah Cook (pictured) led the way with two shots, one on goal. While Carly Cecil, Jacqueline Sampson, and Hannah Bomar each added one shot.

Hanna Johnson started in the net for the Lions and came away with 8 saves while facing 20 shots on the night.

Southern will be back in action as they travel to Central Oklahoma for their final regular season match on Sunday. Kick off is scheduled for 1pm.

MSSU volleyball team falls to Washburn

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

The Missouri Southern volleyball team ran into a hot-hitting Washburn squad today and the 10th ranked Ichabods defeated the Lions three sets to none today inside of Young Gymnasium. Individual set scores were 12-25, 13-25 and 16-25.

The Lions (6-20, 3-15 MIAA) were led offensively by Katie Politte as the senior had 12 kills and five digs. Callie Whetstone (pictured) had five kills and four blocks, while Abby Finder dished out 23 assists. Alyx Gepford and Katie Wielehad four digs each, while Krishna Merriman had six of her own.

Washburn (21-5, 13-5 MIAA) had two in dobule-figures for kills led by Leanna Willer with 14 and Marissa Cox with 12.

The Lions will be back in action next weekend, traveling to Central Missouri on Friday and Lindenwood on Saturday.