WICHITA, Kan. – St. Edward's fell 3-0 to Northwest Missouri State before bouncing back to defeat #25 Missouri Western State 3-2 on Saturday.
MATCH 1: SEU 0 – NWMS 3
The Hilltoppers' robust offense was quieted throughout as they were held to an .183 attack percentage while NWMS recorded seven blocks in the match.
SEU trailed the entirety of the first set, falling 25-17, but led 14-13 in set two before NWMS went on a 6-2 run to lead 20-15. The run was all the Bearcats needed to win the set 25-20.
Northwest Missouri State started out the third set with a four point lead that proved to be the difference maker to secure the win 25-17.
ALEXA MCANDREW led with 13 kills with a .265 attack percentage and a team high 12 digs while JULIA HARTLEY added 16 assists.
MATCH 2: SEU 3 - #25 MWS 2
The toughest battle of the season revealed St. Edward's true character as the Hilltoppers refused to be denied the win. SEU closed out the first set on a 10-4 run to win 25-23. After narrowly falling 28-26 in the extended second set the Hilltoppers got back to work and strung together a series of points to win 25-23 in the third.
Missouri Western took the fourth set 25-18, setting the stage for the epic extended fifth set. MWS jumped out to an 8-3 lead and seemed to have the fifth set in hand, but SEU had other plans, clawing their way back to tie the set at 15-15. After the 14th tie of the set St. Edward's took control and seized the win with back-to-back kills from MELISSA MCNEIL.
McNeil led the attack with 25 kills while posting a .258 hitting percentage. MIKAYLA PARKER added 16, KATE HENDRIX 15 and McAndrew 14. MORGAN BECKHAM logged an impressive 35 digs and EMILY TRAN added 37 assists to lead SEU.
St. Edward's moves to 8-4 on the year and head to Carrollton, Texas for the Heartland Challenge beginning on Friday, September 14 as they face Lubbock Christian at 11:30 am.
