SPRINGFIELD, Mo — Sam Houston volleyball fell to Missouri State in five sets Saturday afternoon, losing 3-2 at Hammons Student Center.
The Bearkats (12-7, 3-3 Conference USA) won the second and third sets after dropping the opener but could not close out the match, falling 21-25, 25-15, 25-20, 17-25, 15-17 to the Bears (13-5, 4-2 CUSA).
Sam Houston responded after dropping the opening set by dominating the second, hitting .324 as a team while recording 15 kills and four errors. The Bearkats continued their momentum in the third set, earning a 25-20 win to take a 2-1 lead.
Missouri State answered in the fourth set, hitting .308 with 11 kills and three errors to force a deciding fifth set.
The final set remained close, with both teams battling for control. Sam Houston recorded 12 kills but committed four errors, while Missouri State finished with 13 kills and two errors to secure the 17-15 victory.
Kameron Rector and Chloe Monson led Sam Houston with 14 kills apiece. Rector hit .357, while Monson added eight digs. Chelsea Butler contributed 12 kills while hitting .450, and Faith Roulston also recorded 12 kills.
Bella Wood and Brenlin Garlitz each recorded double-doubles for the Bearkats. Wood finished with 11 kills and 12 digs, while Garlitz recorded 21 assists and 15 digs. Lauren Pyle led Sam Houston with 24 assists and added 13 digs, while Shaelin White recorded 18 digs to help anchor the defense.
Missouri State was led by Rilynn Finley, who recorded a match-high 16 kills. Hannah Gardner added 10 kills and 26 assists, while Brooke Eslinger led the Bears with 28 digs.
Sam Houston regroups back home this upcoming weekend to face off against Delaware to continue conference play.