CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. –  The Cougars were defeated 3-0 by the Lions. SIUE (12-18, 7-12 OVC) ended their season in the First round of the OVC Championship Tournament with Lindenwood (21-10, 15-4 OVC).
 
In the first set the Lions took a three-point lead early on. The Cougars got their first point of the set off a kill from Nicole Medlin.
 
Sydney Hummert pushed the Cougars ahead 7-6 off a kill from Alyse Drifka. The Cougars remained in the lead until Lindenwood evened the score at 18-18. Lindenwood claimed the first set 25-19.
 
Bree Schreimann and Nicole Medlin came out hot in the second set with back-to-back blocks, putting the Cougars in the lead early.
 
The Cougars were relentless on the attack maintaining their lead before Lindenwood tied it up at 13-13.  Ainsley Ranstead responded with a kill assisted by Corinna Jones pushing the team to 14-13. Alyse Drifka put them back in the lead.
 
Lindenwood went on a six-point run, winning the second set 25-19.
 
The third set started with an ace from Jones. The Lions and Cougars went back and forth on the attack before Lindenwood took the set 25-21.
 
The Cougars saw strong performances from Hummert who had 13 kills at a .229 hitting percentage, and Ranstead who had 10 kills at a .500 clip. Jones led the charge with 17 assists.
 
Meldin led the team with six total blocks against the Lions. Schreimann followed with three block assists.