Box Score EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – A nearly flawless third set wasn't enough Saturday for SIUE in a four-set loss to Morehead State at the Vadalabene Center.
Morehead State won its 12th straight match of the season with a 25-21, 25-17, 18-25, 25-22 victory over the Cougars, now 7-10 overall and 3-3 in the Ohio Valley Conference. The Eagles improved to 14-6 overall and 6-0 in the OVC.
"A loss like this has to drive us. If it doesn't, it's lost in vain. You work that hard. You have to let it filter in practice-to drive you to continue to climb. They (the team) are driven," said SIUE Head Coach Leah Johnson.
Down two sets to one, SIUE emerged from the between sets break with a strong third set. SIUE recorded a .400 hitting percentage with 14 kills on 35 total attacks. Kristen Torre led SIUE in the set with four kills followed by three each from Emma Anderson and Cori Harris.
"There were strings of points throughout the match where we were in control. Set three was phenomenal - no hitting errors. I think we hit.400 in that set and just played really good volleyball. We put the pressure on them," said Johnson.
The match went back and forth within each set. Morehead State endured 13 tie scores and seven lead changes to hold on in the fourth set.
Ellie Roberson led the Eagles with 19 kills followed by 16 from Annie Gruenschlaeger and 10 from Aryn Bohannon. The free-swinging Eagles were hit and miss with their offense with 65 kills and 31 attack errors, finishing nearly 25 points below their season hitting percentage at .177.
SIUE didn't find a hot hand for the match with Anderson and Brianne Graunke leading the team with nine kills each.
Both teams played well at the net with the Cougars outblocking the Eagles 9-7. Torre led SIUE with five blocks. The two squads also used their touches at the net to their advantage. Morehead State finished the match with 100 digs, including 28 from libero Leslie Schellhaas.
SIUE libero Chelsea Colclasure turned in one of her best performances of the season on defense by tying her season high with 29 digs.
"Chelsea Colclasure had an incredible defensive match," said Johnson. "Our front row blocking was exceptional. We led with nine blocks in the match. We did a great job channeling them to specific areas."
The Cougars next take to the road for a pair of West Division matchups. SIUE faces Murray State Friday at 7 p.m. followed by Austin Peay Saturday at 2 p.m.
"Those are going to be two great matches. They are very comparable teams. They are both playing better just like we are. We very excited to get on the road and take on a conference foe," Johnson said.
