Marshall, Mo. - The Stars traveled to Missouri Valley College for a tri-match against Missouri Valley (10-11) and Baptist Bible College (8-7) looking to add two more wins to their 12-game win streak.
Game 1: Stars vs. Vikings
The Stars' first opponent, Missouri Valley, was a formidable force on the volleyball court. The Vikings started off the set with a service ace, setting the tempo for the game. The Stars answered with a kill from senior setter, Avery Hayes. The Vikings took the set 25-13.
In set two, the Stars drop 5 straight points, but bounced back late in the game to tie the score at 19-19. The set was tight, but it was the Stars that took set two (25-22).
The Stars gained momentum in set three. Freshman middle hitter,
Emberlynn Kingsley, was able to show the Vikings that the Stars were still in it with three consecutive kills. The Stars fought hard but dropped set 3 (25-16).
The Stars started off set four with a double block to the right side by freshman outside hitter Lena Hunziker and middle hitter Emberlynn Kingsley securing the first point of the set. The Stars found their rhythm when middle hitter, Jamie Rusell had two consecutive kills against the Vikings. In the end, the Vikings were able to outshine the Stars by winning the match (3-1).
Statistical leaders:
Game 2: Stars vs. Patriots
The second game brought a renewed sense of purpose for the Stars. Powerhouse duo, Hunziker and Kingsley added another block in the first set. Not long after, Whitson was subbed in and aced the Patriots twice to make the score 22-13. It wasn't until the kill from junior outside hitter,
Isabelle Benson that secured the first set for the Stars (25-16).
Set two started off with the Patriots and Stars battling for the lead. Thanks to sophomore right side Aiyanna Williams and Kingsley for a double block that gave the Stars their lead. But the blocks did not stop there - Benson and Kingsley secured two more back-to-back blocks for the Stars against the Patriots, making the score 18-10. The Stars were able to finish the set with a kill from Benson (25-13).
In the final set against the Patriots, outside hitter Hunziker had three kills in a row (assisted by Whitson and Genevieve Nickelson) that took the Stars to the finish. To clinch the final point, Hunziker assisted freshman middle hitter, Annie Thomlinson for a brick house against the Patriots to claim the set (25-18).
Statistical leaders:
The Stars return to play October 5
th against conference team Cottey College in Nevada, Mo. at 6 pm.
