EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - Trailing two sets to none, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville volleyball wasn't about to allow the sweep Tuesday night at the Vadalabene Center.

SIUE rallied in the third set but eventually would drop a four-set match to visiting Missouri State 25-18, 25-17, 27-29, 25-21. Missouri State improved to 12-3 while the Cougars fell to 8-7.

"I was really happy with our character," said SIUE Head Coach Todd Gober. "We had a couple of people step up big. Lexi Cubulka and Julia Whitfield played outstanding matches tonight."

The Cougars had a great atmosphere to play in with 392 fans at the Vadalabene Center. SIUE got off to a slow start as Missouri State outhit the Cougars early. Down 24-21 in the third set, SIUE saved six match points before eventually winning the set. Kelsey Augustine served out the final three points for SIUE.

"It was fun because we got into a little bit more strategy in the third and fourth sets and started serving better," said Gober.

Christine McCarty led the Missouri State attack with 14 kills and four blocks. Calli Norman added nine kills and seven blocks. The Bears were strong on defense, allowing just one SIUE service ace and collecting 61 digs led by 18 from Abby Padlock.

SIUE countered with nine team blocks, including four from Sydney Winslow and three each from Brianne Graunke, Jessica Hemann and Augustine.

Gober said Hemann played a tremendous match and noted that when Augustine was inserted into the lineup in the third set it sparked the Cougars. "She got some big blocks, which has been a weak area for us," Gober said of Augustine.

Cibulka would drive the offense with a game-high 15 kills. Whitfield would add nine kills for the Cougars. Missouri State took the overall edge in kills 57-49.

SIUE is now idle for a week before it plays host to UMKC for a 7 p.m. matchup at the Vadalabene Center.

-siue cougars-