UE stays on the road Saturday at SIU
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Mildrelis Rodriguez posted a team-best eight kills as the University of Evansville volleyball team fell by a 3-0 final at Missouri State on Monday evening.
Rodriguez led the offense with eight kills while Rocio Fortuny had five for the Purple Aces (4-17, 0-8 MVC). Jelena Merseli led the way with 12 assists while Rodriguez paced the defense with 11 digs. Lily Johnson was the top performer for the Bears (14-7, 5-2 MVC), posting 14 kills in 27 attempts. Simone House finished with ten kills.0
Game one saw the Bears open up with a 25-10 win. Up 4-3, the Bears changed the tempo and went on a 14-2 run to take an 18-5 advantage. They cruised from there to take a 1-0 lead. Another game-changing run for the Bears came with them also up by a 4-3 tally in the second game. They scored eight of the next ten points to take a 12-5 lead before winning by a final of 25-12.
Evansville played much better in the third game. After falling behind by an 0-2 score, the Aces were paced by a Mildrelis Rodriguez kill, which was part of three consecutive points by UE to take a 3-2 lead. Missouri State was able to find its groove, taking a 5-4 lead before extending it as the frame went along to finish off with a 25-15 win to clinch the match.
A trip to Southern Illinois is next up for UE as the Aces and Salukis will tangle on Saturday evening in Carbondale.