Box score

JOPLIN, Mo. -- The SBU Bearcat volleyball earned a four set win over the Missouri Southern Lions, snapping a four match losing streak. The Bearcats took the first set 25-17, before the Lions got the second, 25-18. SBU took the third and fourth sets by 25-23 and 25-22 scores.

The Bearcats (10-15, 3-6 MIAA) started strong in the first set, leading 11-7 before MSSU (10-12, 3-6 MIAA) would tie the score at 13 and 14 points each. With Alex Smith serving, the Bearcats would run off eight straight points behind strong net play from Ashley Jurgensmeyer and Kelsey Stewart. SBU would close out the first set, winning 25-17. The Lions would control the second set, leading by as much as 18-9. The Bearcats would cut the deficit slightly but fell 25-18.

Things did not start well for SBU in the third with Southern leading 10-6. The Bearcats scored six straight points to lead 12-10. The teams would battle and be tied at 16 before SBU got another six straight. The Lions would cut the margin in the third to two points, but SBU would win 25-23. The fourth set was close initially, before SBU would lead by five at multiple times. A 22-17 SBU lead was trimmed to two, but the Bearcats would hold on for the 25-22 victory.

Jurgensmeyer led the Bearcats with 19 kills while Stewart had 11 for SBU. Jurgensmeyer had a .282 attack percentage. Brianna Wallace had 48 assists. Lauren Noble (15) and Smith (14) led the defense in digs. The win moved the Bearcats into a tie with the Lions for seventh place in the MIAA with 3-6 marks.

SBU moves northwest by 30 miles on Saturday afternoon when they visit Pittsburg State at 2 p.m.