The Basics
Score: MNU 2 - Park 3
Record: MNU (20-5, 14-2), Park (16-7, 12-4)
Location: Olathe, Kan. – Cook Center
OLATHE, Kan. – MNU came up just short in a five-set thriller Tuesday night, falling 22-25, 25-20, 25-19, 14-25, 16-18 to visiting Park at the Cook Center. The loss snapped MNU's 11-match win streak. After Park took the first set, MNU mostly controlled Sets 2 and 3 to take a 2-1 lead in the match. Park dominated Set 4, and led the deciding set 12-9 before the Pioneers went on a run. MNU won 4 straight points to take the lead, and had 3 match points which Park fought off. The Pioneers' 3rd match point came at 16-15, but the Pirates won the next 3 points to claim the match.
Avery Lowe led a balanced attack with 17 kills, while Mia Olson had 16 on a .438 hitting percentage. Isabella Munari added 13 kills and four blocks, and Alyssa Reichard posted 12 kills on .225 hitting. Setters Alex Thomas and Callie Winebarger combined for 53 assists, and Emily Mathis anchored the defense with 24 digs.
Turning Point
Park fought off 3 MNU match points in the fifth set, then closed on a 3-0 run to win 18-16.
Individual Leaders
Avery Lowe: 17 kills, .167 pct., 17.0 points
Mia Olson: 16 kills, .438 pct., 2 blocks, 17.0 points
Isabella Munari: 13 kills, 4 blocks, 15.0 points
Alyssa Reichard: 12 kills, .225 pct.
Alex Thomas: 31 assists, 10 digs
Callie Winebarger: 22 assists, 7 digs, 2 aces
Emily Mathis: 24 digs
Dominika Bartosz: 19 digs, 1 ace
Up Next
The next match is Friday at #17 Missouri Baptist (24-5, 15-1) at 3:00.
