ROLLA, Mo. -- Missouri S&T made a strong push in the second set Saturday, nearly overcoming a five-point deficit, but Upper Iowa ultimately held off the Miners for a 3-0 victory in Gibson Arena, 25-18, 25-22, 25-16.
Upper Iowa opened set one with a 7-0 run before the Miners began to settle in. S&T answered with a 6-2 run, highlighted by kills from Selin Ozdemir (Ankara, Turkey/Bilim), Madison Smith (Boonville, MO/Boonville), Elly Decker (Manhattan, IL/Lincoln-Way West) and Danielle Wilke (Palmer Lake, CO/Palmer Ridge). The Miners continued to chip away, getting as close as 14-12 before Upper Iowa regained control and closed out the set 25-18.
S&T took the opening point of set two on a Maggie Miller (Gretna, NE/Gretna) service ace, leading to a trade of points before Upper Iowa built an 11-6 advantage. The Miners responded with a trio of scoring runs, picking up runs of three, four, and five to tie the set at 21-21. Upper Iowa closed out the set on a 4-1 run though, moving ahead by two sets.
Wilke opened the third set with a kill, but Upper Iowa quickly moved ahead 5-2. S&T stayed within striking distance, pulling within two at 13-11 after kills from Wilke and Kate Zipprich (Hardin, IL/Calhoun). The Peacocks then created separation late, closing the match with a 25-16 third set win.
Mining the Numbers
-
Ozdemir and Wilke tied for the team lead in kills with 9 each, while Zipprich hit .300.
-
Miller was the team leader in assists for the second match in a row, recording 18 this time.
- The Miners recorded six blocks to Upper Iowa's three, led by Madison Smith's (Boonville, MO/Boonville) three assists and one solo.
-
Adelyn Weiler (Ste. Genevieve, MO/Valle Catholic) led the team in digs, recording 21.
What's Next
The Miners host Maryville on Saturday, September 26th at 3pm in Gibson Arena.
Sign up for our email blast at https://minerathletics.com/subscribe.aspx
Follow Miners Volleyball on X and Instagram at miners_wvb
