Sunday, October 29, 2006

Valparaiso found itself on the wrong end of a 3-0 decision for the second consecutive day, as Missouri State downed the Crusaders 30-20, 30-26, 30-28 Sunday afternoon in Springfield, Mo.

After a game one that Missouri State led from start to finish, Valpo held leads late in game two (26-25) and game three (27-26), but was unable to capitalize on either opportunity to force a fourth game. The Crusaders had the serve with game three tied at 28, but a service error and a MSU block closed out the match.

Allison Sears (Elkhart, Ind./Memorial) paced three Crusaders with double-digit kills, totaling 11 markers on the night, but also committed 10 attack errors. Jessie Fox (Granger, Ind./Penn) and Angie Porché (Lynwood, Ill./Thornton Fractional South) tallied 10 kills each. Kim Bukowski (Waukesha, Wis./West) handled setting duties, dishing out 32 assists.

Brittany Marks (Elkhart, Ind./Memorial) and Tiffany Meikle (Kewaskum, Wis./Kettle Moraine Lutheran) led the Brown and Gold on the back line with 13 digs apiece. Meikle also picked up three service aces.

Shanda Harper led the Bears with 11 kills, hitting at a .348 clip, and also picked up seven blocks. Jamie Adams led three Missouri State players with at least 10 digs, picking up 14.

The Crusaders held statistical advantages over Missouri State (19-6) in kills, 47-40, and digs, 55-54, but also committed 19 more attack errors. MSU registered 11.5 blocks to Valpo's four.

Valparaiso (16-11) returns home to the ARC for its final two home matches of the season this weekend. The Crusaders take on UMKC Friday, November 3 at 7:00 p.m., and host Western Illinois Saturday, November 4 on Senior Night at 5:00 p.m. Both matches can be heard live on WVUR, 95.1 FM, and online at www.valpo.edu/athletics.