ROLLA, MO  —  Missouri S&T volleyball opened its season Thursday night in Gibson Arena but came up short against Minnesota State, falling 3-0 (25-19, 25-17, 25-21). The Miners were competitive in every set, but the Mavericks' efficient attack and timely serving proved to be the difference.

The opening set featured an early back-and-forth stretch, with S&T overcoming a 3-0 hole to take a 7-6 lead after a service ace from Elise Mehaffy (Marion, IA/Marion). The Mavericks would reclaim the lead though, going up 16-12 on a 4-0 run. Selin Ozdemir (Ankara, Turkey/TED Ankara Koleji) and Anaya Roberts (San Antonio, TX/Brennan) chipped in kills to keep the Miners close, but Minnesota State capitalized on late kills to close the set, 25-19.

In the second frame, S&T again grabbed early momentum with a Mehaffy ace and a kill from Addie Schoenberger (Menomonee Falls, WI/Hamilton Sussex) to lead 2-0. However, Minnesota State answered with a lengthy service run by Jadyn Lester that forced the Miners to play from behind the rest of the set. Despite an 8-3 run by S&T, the Mavericks maintained control and took the set, 25-17.

The third set brought the Miners' best push of the night. Kills from Lexi Kosmopolis (O'Fallon, IL/Newsome) and Schoenberger, along with a service ace from Kosmopolis, fueled a late rally that pulled S&T within one at 21-20. Minnesota State regrouped in the closing stretch, though, sealing the sweep with a 25-21 win.

S&T finished with six team blocks, highlighted by Roberts, Zipprich, and Avery Patton (Lathrop, MO/Truman) at the net (each with 3 blcok assists), while Mehaffy put up 4 service aces.

What's Next
The Miners return to action Friday in the Missouri S&T Volleyball Invitational with matches against Christian Brothers and Northwestern Oklahoma State.

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