The Basics
Score: MNU 0, Central Methodist 3
Record: MNU (8-6, 4-3), Central Methodist (11-7, 5-2)
Location: Fayette, Mo. – Puckett Field House
Set Scores: 19-25, 21-25, 21-25

FAYETTE, Mo. – MNU fell in three sets to Central Methodist on Saturday, 25-19, 25-21, 25-21.

The opening set featured eight ties and six lead changes as the teams went back and forth through the first half of the frame. MNU erased an early 7-4 deficit behind kills from Kennedy Smalley and Maja Ludyga, taking a 9-8 lead.

The teams continued trading points until Central Methodist broke a 13-13 tie with two straight points. MNU pulled back within one at 15-14, but the Eagles responded with a 6-0 run to take control at 21-14. The Pioneers got as close as 22-18 before Central Methodist closed out the set 25-19. MNU hit .250 in the opener with 13 kills, but Central Methodist countered with 15 kills and a .351 attack percentage.

Central Methodist carried the momentum into the second set, building a 9-4 advantage and eventually stretching the margin to 20-11. MNU mounted a late rally. After trailing 21-14, the Pioneers scored five consecutive points behind the serve of Anna DeGraffenreid, cutting the deficit to 21-19. Smalley added a kill during the run, but Central Methodist answered and held off the comeback for a 25-21 victory.

MNU came out quickly in the third. Smalley delivered consecutive kills before DeGraffenreid added a kill, and the Pioneers used two Central Methodist attack errors to build a 6-1 lead.

The Eagles gradually erased the deficit, tying the set at 8-8 and taking an 11-8 advantage. MNU responded to tie it again at 11-11 on a Kyla Brandes service ace, and the teams were even again at 12-12 and 13-13.

Central Methodist then scored three straight to move ahead 16-13 and maintained the advantage the rest of the way. MNU stayed within striking distance and cut the margin to 23-20 and 24-21 before the Eagles finished the sweep with a 25-21 win.

Smalley led the Pioneer offense with 13 kills while hitting .267 and added two block assists. Dominika Bartosz finished with seven kills and 12 digs. Maja Ludyga contributed three kills on four attacks for a .750 percentage while recording two solo blocks and two block assists.

DeGraffenreid directed the offense with 22 assists and added eight digs and an ace.

Turning Point
CMU took the first two sets to seize control.

Individual Leaders
Kennedy Smalley: 13 kills, .267 hitting percentage, 2 blocks
Dominika Bartosz: 7 kills, 12 digs
Maja Ludyga: 3 kills, .750 hitting percentage, 4 blocks
Anna DeGraffenreid: 22 assists, 8 digs, 1 ace

Up Next
The next match is Friday at William Penn at 7:00.