ROLLA, Mo. – Missouri S&T women's volleyball pushed one of the top teams in the conference to five sets on Friday night, going the distance against the Drury Panthers before ultimately falling 25-27, 30-28, 15-25, 25-23, 7-15.
Drury went up 10-6 in the first set on a 5-0 run. The Miners remained within striking distance throughout the set, eventually drawing even at 21-21 after a 4-0 run that featured two blocks and an ace by Danielle Wilke (Palmer Lake, CO/Palmer Ridge). Kills by Kate Zipprich (Hardin, IL/Calhoun) and Madison Smith (Boonville, MO/Boonville) gave the Miners set point, but the Panthers responded with three consecutive kills to take the opening frame 27-25.
There were four lead changes early in the second set, with S&T eventually building a five-point advantage after a 10-3 run that included three kills and a block by Grae Hunter (Oconomowoc, WI/Oconomowoc). A five-point run by the Panthers allowed them to take the lead, putting the Miners behind by just one point at 20-19. The Miners answered with a 5-1 run to set up three set points at 24-21. Drury fought back, however, scoring three straight points to tie the set at 24-24. The Miners denied a Drury set point moments later, with a kill by Zipprich tying things at 28-28 before an ace by Maggie Miller (Gretna, NE/Gretna) and a kill by Selin Ozdemir (Ankara, Turkey/Bilim) secured the set for S&T at 30-28.
Drury built an early advantage in the third set, taking five of the first six points. The Panthers continued to steadily pull away, but the Miners cut into the deficit with a 3-0 run late in the set. Drury managed to hold its advantage, however, taking the third set 25-15.
The Panthers looked to take an early lead again in the fourth set, but the Miners quickly responded with three consecutive points to go ahead 5-4. Three S&T service aces later in the set helped the Miners put together two 3-0 runs to take a 14-12 lead. The Miners continued to build their advantage, taking seven of nine points late for a 23-18 lead. Three kills from Drury's Gwen Kubik threatened S&T's lead, but a kill by Zipprich secured the 25-23 set victory and sent the match to a decisive fifth set.
Drury built a 5-2 lead to start the fifth set and extended that advantage to 12-5 as Chaney Barth picked up three kills. Smith chipped in a late kill, but the Panthers claimed the set and match with a 15-7 victory.
Mining the Numbers
-
Three Miners recorded career highs in kills, with Zipprich, Smith and Hunter setting personal bests of 16, 15 and 12, respectively. Zipprich led the team with 16 kills and a .583 hitting percentage.
-
Hunter recorded the first double-double of her career with 12 kills and 11 digs.
-
Miller also posted a double-double, finishing with 24 assists and a career-high 23 digs.
What's Next
With Friday night's loss and Upper Iowa's victory over Quincy, the Miners have been eliminated from postseason contention. They will look to finish the season strong with upcoming matches against Southwest Baptist, Illinois Springfield and Quincy.
Sign up for our email blast at https://minerathletics.com/subscribe.aspx
Follow Miners Volleyball on X and Instagram at miners_wvb
