KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State volleyball jumped out to a 2-0 lead over Missouri State on Saturday afternoon, but the visiting Bears rallied to win the final three sets and claim a 3-2 victory (21-25, 20-25, 25-19, 25-23, 15-12) at VyStar Arena.
The loss dropped Kennesaw State to 9-11 overall and 3-5 in Conference USA, while Missouri State improved to 15-5 overall and 6-2 in league play.
STAT OF THE GAME
Kennesaw State led Missouri State 19-15 in the fourth set before the Bears answered with five consecutive points to take their first lead since early in the frame. Missouri State eventually claimed the set 25-23 to force a fifth, where the Bears completed the comeback.
THE RUNDOWN
Set One (KSU 25, Missouri State 21)
The two teams traded points throughout much of the opening set, with neither side holding more than a two-point advantage until late in the frame. With the score tied at 18, the Owls used consecutive kills from Olivia Burrage and a block by Burrage and Ashlyn Anderson to move ahead 21-18. KSU maintained its advantage down the stretch, with Anderson delivering the final kill to secure the 25-21 victory.
Set Two (KSU 25, Missouri State 20)
Missouri State opened the second set with a 6-3 advantage before KSU answered with a 6-0 run to take a 9-6 lead. The Owls continued to build their margin, stretching the advantage to 17-10 behind strong play from Burrage, Hunter Cook and Ava Garner. The Bears closed within three points late, but KSU held on, with Burrage delivering the set-winning kill. The Owls hit .406 in the frame.
Set Three (Missouri State 25, KSU 19)
Kennesaw State jumped out to an early 6-2 lead, but Missouri State responded to tie the score at 9-9 before taking control midway through the set. The Bears built a 16-13 advantage and later stretched the margin to 23-17. KSU briefly cut into the deficit, but Missouri State closed out the six-point victory to extend the match.
Set Four (Missouri State 25, KSU 23)
The Owls looked poised to finish off the victory after building a 19-15 lead in the fourth set. Missouri State responded with five consecutive points to move ahead 20-19, setting up a back-and-forth finish. With the Bears leading 24-22, KSU fought off one set point on a Burrage-Kourtney Brown block before Missouri State recorded the final point to force a decisive fifth set.
Set Five (Missouri State 15, KSU 12)
The teams traded points early in the fifth set, with KSU taking an 8-7 advantage at the changeover. Missouri State answered with three straight points to move ahead 10-8. The Owls stayed within striking distance, cutting the deficit to 12-11 on a Burrage kill, but the Bears scored two straight points and eventually closed out the match, 15-12.
NOTES
- Olivia Burrage recorded a career-high 20 kills on .643 hitting (20-2-28), surpassing her previous high of 17 set at Delaware earlier this season. She also added five blocks, increasing her school-record career total to 421.
- Kennesaw State recorded a season-high 73 kills, surpassing Friday's total of 72.
- Kennesaw State recorded 70 or more kills in back-to-back matches for the first time since Sept. 23-24, 2022, when the Owls posted 72 against North Alabama and 73 against Central Arkansas.
- The Owls hit .321 for the match, committing just 20 attack errors on 165 attempts.
- Haley Patterson added 15 kills and a service ace.
- Ashlyn Anderson finished with 14 kills on .355 hitting (14-3-31), along with four blocks.
- Hunter Cook contributed 11 kills on .346 hitting (11-2-26).
- Ava Garner posted 10 kills on .364 hitting (10-2-22), along with four blocks.
- Kourtney Brown recorded 43 assists and eight digs.
- Alexis Sowers led KSU with 16 digs, while also contributing two service aces.
- The Owls held a 73-61 advantage in kills over Missouri State.
NEXT TIME OUT
Kennesaw State returns to the road next weekend for a two-match Conference USA series at Western Kentucky. The Owls will face the Hilltoppers on Friday, Oct. 23, at 7 p.m. ET and Saturday, Oct. 24, at 2 p.m. ET in Bowling Green, Ky. Both matches will be streamed live on ESPN+.
The Champions Fund
The Champions Fund is a newly created, 100% tax deductible, philanthropic opportunity to contribute strategic revenue to Kennesaw State Athletics, with the goal of strengthening our ability to recruit and retain top-tier talent in this new era of collegiate athletics. Contributions to the Champions Fund will help aid in funding student-athlete recruitment and retention, as well as helping the Owls provide competitive excellence through investments in coaching, travel and facilities. The fund will also give an elevated student-athlete experience, including enhanced academic, nutrition, wellness and leadership programs. Donate to the Champions Fund here.
