JOPLIN, Mo. -- Northeastern State volleyball officially began its inaugural NCAA season Friday morning, taking the court for the first time in program history against Missouri S&T at the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.
The RiverHawks dropped a 3-0 decision to the Miners, falling 25-12, 25-11 and 25-15.
Friday's match marked the beginning of a new era for Northeastern State as the RiverHawks made their debut as an NCAA volleyball program.
Brynn Fowler and
Ashlyn Tag paced the RiverHawks offensively with five kills apiece. Fowler hit .333 for the match, recording five kills on nine attacks with two errors.
Poliana Lazarini added four kills, while
Devine Okon had two kills and
Ceylin Sar finished with one kill.
Tiyana Bhatte directed the NSU offense with nine assists, while
Sydney Dunkleberger added seven assists. Dunkleberger also led the RiverHawks defensively with seven digs.
Lazarini finished with six digs, while
Jordyn Berger added five. NSU recorded 30 digs as a team.
The RiverHawks registered 19 kills, one service ace and two total blocks. NSU's two blocks came from
Ceylin Sar, who recorded both of her blocks in the opening match.
Missouri S&T was led by Danielle Wilke with 12 kills, while Addie Schoenberger added eight. The Miners finished with 34 kills and hit .277 for the match.
Northeastern State will remain in Joplin for its second match of the day, facing Southeastern Oklahoma at 1 p.m.
