Columbia, MO - The Stephens College volleyball team fell to Missouri Baptist University in straight sets Thursday evening at Silverthorne Arena. The Stars showed improvement throughout the match, putting together their strongest offensive performance in the final set, but ultimately fell 3-0 (25-14, 25-17, 25-19). With the loss, Stephens moved to 7-15 overall and 5-4 in conference play.
Missouri Baptist came out strong in the opening set, recording 14 kills on a .345 hitting percentage to take a 25-14 victory. Stephens struggled to establish an offensive rhythm early, finishing the set with eight kills.
The Stars showed improvement in the second set, increasing their offensive production to 11 kills while hitting .140. Despite a more competitive effort that featured three ties and three lead changes, Missouri Baptist maintained its advantage and claimed the set 25-17 to take a 2-0 lead.
Stephens delivered its strongest performance in the third set, recording 13 kills on a .393 hitting percentage while committing just two attacking errors. The Stars continued to battle offensively, but Missouri Baptist answered with a .400 hitting percentage to secure the 25-19 victory and complete the sweep.
Anna Bradley led the Stephens offense with a match-high 12 kills on a .226 hitting percentage. Michalina Oles followed closely with 11 kills while hitting an efficient .286 and adding two block assists. Jocelyn Rios contributed seven kills on a .238 hitting percentage, rounding out the Stars' top offensive performers.
Freshman setter Audrey Dinwiddie directed the offense with 27 assists and added seven digs. Defensively, Danika Brase led Stephens with 14 digs and a service ace, while Alanis Francelino recorded 11 digs and an ace of her own.
At the net, Alyssa Jackson contributed one solo block and one block assist, while Oles added two block assists to the defensive effort.
As a team, Stephens finished with 32 kills, 31 assists, 44 digs and two service aces. Despite the loss, the Stars' third-set performance highlighted their offensive efficiency as they continued conference competition.
