Box Score JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – Despite a career-high 29 kills from junior middle blocker Kristen Torre, SIUE volleyball dropped a five-set thriller Friday night at Jacksonville State.
Torre's 29 kills was the most for the Cougars in the Division I era and the most by a Cougar since SIUE Hall of Famer Lindsay Rust recorded 31 during the 1998 season.
Jacksonville State improved to 7-8 overall and 1-0 in the OVC with a 21-25, 25-21, 25-20, 24-26, 15-13 win over the Cougars, which fell to 8-8 and 1-0.
"The highlight really was Kristen," said SIUE Head Coach Leah Johnson. "We gave her every ball we could because she was terminal."
SIUE grabbed he early lead in the match behind five kills in the opening set from Torre and nine digs from Chelsea Colclasure.
"We won set one because we had fewer errors," said Johnson.
The team with the fewest attack errors won the first four sets.
Both teams had three attack errors in the fifth set, but Jacksonville State's Nicole Merget picked up her team-leading 20th kill on match point. Three other Gamecocks players recorded double digits in kills.
"I have to give credit to a solid Jacksonville State team," added Johnson. The Gamecocks edged the Cougars in kills 65-63. Both teams had 26 attack errors.
SIUE freshman Ashley Witt also recorded double digits in kills with 15.
The Cougars now head three hours north to Cookeville, Tenn., for a 4 p.m. matchup Saturday against Tennessee Tech.
