JOPLIN, Mo. – Northeastern State volleyball battled Southeastern Oklahoma through two close sets Friday afternoon before falling 3-0 to the Savage Storm at the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center.
The RiverHawks dropped the opening set 25-22, fell 25-13 in the second and battled to the final points in the third before Southeastern Oklahoma secured a 25-21 victory.
The opening set featured nine ties and a lead change as the RiverHawks stayed within striking distance throughout the frame. NSU trailed 23-22 before the Savage Storm scored the final two points to take the early advantage.
Northeastern State again found itself in a competitive battle in the third set, pulling within three at 20-17 and again at 23-20 before the Savage Storm closed out the match.
Poliana Lazarini led the RiverHawks with eight kills and added six digs.
Lanie Brown recorded four kills, while
Brynn Fowler also finished with four kills.
Tiyana Bhatte directed the NSU offense with 12 assists and added a kill and two service aces.
Sydney Dunkleberger contributed six assists, while
Jordyn Berger recorded four digs and a service ace.
Brooke Tyler and Bhatte each finished with seven digs, while Northeastern State totaled 37 digs as a team.
Southeastern Oklahoma was led by Gabby Jones with 13 kills and Rylee Jackson with 10. The Savage Storm finished with 39 kills and hit .253 for the match.
Northeastern State continues tournament play Saturday, Aug. 29, when the RiverHawks face Southwest Baptist at 11 a.m. in Joplin.
