BOLIVAR, Mo. -- The SBU Bearcat volleyball team hosted the 20th-ranked Truman Bulldogs and fell in a five-set heartbreaker. After dropping the first set, the Bearcats rallied to take the next two sets, before the Bulldogs would win the final two sets of the close contest.

"I was proud of our girls. They fought hard after losing the first set, re-adjusted and came back strong," said head coach Kelly Richardson. "But we've got to execute at the end of sets and finish matches."

After Truman (11-5, 2-2 MIAA) won the first set 25-18, the Bulldogs led 14-8 in the second before SBU rallied to tie with an 8-2 run. The 'Cats (5-10, 0-3 MIAA) moved ahead on a kill from Kelsey Stewart and would close the second set with a 6-1 run to win 25-20. The teams were knotted at 11 in the third set before SBU would get five points in a run which included three kills from Ashley Jurgensmeyer. Truman would later get to within three but the Bearcats would win the third set 25-19.

The fourth set was tightly contested with neither team leading by more than two through the majority of the set. SBU would lead at 22-21 before TSU would take the final three points on consecutive kills by Lauren Graybeal. The deciding fifth set was a battle, much like the others. The teams were tied at 11 in the finale but Truman would win at 15-13.

"Our hitters did an excellent job -- we hit our goal for hitting percentage (SBU hit .282 as team). Bri Wallace did an excellent job of delivering the ball (a season high 56 assists) and Marcy Greenwade had some great digs (25 total). We're anxious to get back in the gym tomorrow to prepare for the two road conference matches this weekend."

Stewart led with 18 kills, followed close behind by Jurgensmeyer (17) and Alex Smith (16). Jurgensmeyer led with a .375 attack percentage with Stewart at .372 on the night.

The busy week for the Bearcats continues on the road this weekend, when they play at Missouri Western on Friday, September 25 at 7 p.m. and on September 26 at 5 p.m. at Northwest Missouri State.