Creighton University
Missouri State
Volleyball Swept at Missouri State in Final Road Test
11/6/2010 9:38:00 PM | Volleyball
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- The Creighton Volleyball team lost its final regular-season road match of the season, falling 25-20, 25-19, 25-23 at Missouri State on Saturday. Creighton still has three home matches to play in Missouri Valley Conference play, beginning next Saturday with Drake.
After a difficult 15-13 fifth set loss at Wichita State on Friday night, Creighton was unable to muster the effort needed to duplicate its five-set win over Missouri State in Omaha last month.
Despite the loss, Creighton (15-10, 10-5 MVC) remains in third place, just one-half game ahead of Missouri State (18-7, 9-5 MVC).
"I was really disappointed with the way we played tonight," said Creighton head coach Kirsten Bernthal Booth. "It didn't look like we had fight. We just didn't play with the energy we've had all season. We just had that dazed and confused look on our face the whole time. Missouri State is a great team, but I did not feel like we showed up tonight.
"We challenged the team after the match in the locker room," continued Booth. "We're still in the mix for an at-large bid (to the NCAA Tournament). These were opportunites we didn't seize unfortunately, but that said, opportunities are still there. We've got to get better in the gym this week and be ready for a Drake team playing with a lot of confidence."
Creighton was led by Alicia Runge, who had nine kills in the match. Laurel Sanford added seven kills, while Heather Thorson had six kills on .357 hitting. Julianne Mandolfo led CU with 16 digs and had at least one ace for a 10th straight match, while Karisa Almgren had a hand in four blocks. Creighton finished with 32 kills, three aces, 46 digs and five blocks while hitting .072.
Missouri State was led by 10 kills from all-Valley performer Calli Norman, while Bethany Fuller had nine kills and five blocks on .421 hitting. The Bears hit .196 for the night and finished with 39 kills, three aces, 45 digs and nine blocks.
Creighton will play the final three matches of the regular-season at home, starting with a Saturday contest against Drake that starts at 7 pm at D.J. Sokol Arena.
