Hailey
The opening match of the Missouri Challenge brought lots of excitement as the Missouri State Bears faced the Saint Louis Billikens at Chaifetz Pavilion on Thursday evening. The game was full of ups and downs, with both teams trading momentum.
The battle stretched to a fifth set, but the Bears could not complete their comeback and fell short by just two points. Even with the loss, the match showed the Bears’ fighting spirit and strong performances from several players.
Final Score Breakdown
The match ended with the Billikens winning 3-2. Here are the set scores:
| Set | Missouri State | Saint Louis |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 25 | 21 |
| 2 | 13 | 25 |
| 3 | 11 | 25 |
| 4 | 25 | 23 |
| 5 | 13 | 15 |
Star Performers
Several Missouri State players stood out despite the loss:
- Rilynn Finley had a season-high 19 kills, leading the attack.
- Lizanyela Lopez added 11 kills and played a key role at the net with strong blocks.
- Hannah Gardner nearly achieved a triple-double, finishing with 19 assists, 10 digs, and 9 kills.
These performances kept the Bears competitive until the very end.
How the Match Unfolded
First Set: Bears Start Strong
The Bears fell behind early at 5-1 but came back with a 6-0 run, powered by Finley’s points, to take an 11-8 lead. The set stayed tight, but a service ace from Brooke Eslinger gave the Bears the final push. Missouri State held on to win the opener 25-21, giving fans hope for a solid night.
Second and Third Sets: Billikens Take Control
Saint Louis quickly shifted momentum. In the second set, they controlled the pace and limited the Bears to only 13 points. The third set was similar, with Missouri State scoring just 11.
Across these two sets, the Bears managed only 15 total kills while making 15 hitting errors. The Billikens capitalized on every mistake and comfortably won both sets.
Fourth Set: Bears Fight Back
Refusing to give up, the Bears returned with energy in the fourth set. At 21-21, Finley’s kill gave them the lead. Lopez then added a big block and a powerful kill to secure a 24-22 advantage.
A Saint Louis error handed Missouri State the final point, letting them win 25-23 and push the game into a deciding fifth set.
Fifth Set: Narrow Finish
The final set started badly for the Bears as they trailed 6-1. Still, they fought back with determination and closed the gap to 14-13.
Just when it looked like Missouri State might pull off the comeback, Saint Louis’ star Ellie Rink delivered her 29th kill of the match—the most against the Bears this season. That final point sealed the 15-13 win for the Billikens.
What’s Next for Missouri State
The loss dropped Missouri State’s record to 4-5, while Saint Louis improved to 6-3. The Bears won’t have much time to rest as they face Southeast Missouri State (5-4) on Friday at 4 p.m. This will be another chance for the team to bounce back and prove their strength in the Missouri Challenge.
The Missouri State Bears may have lost in five sets, but the team showed heart, fight, and plenty of talent. With strong efforts from Finley, Lopez, and Gardner, the Bears proved they can challenge tough opponents.
While small mistakes made the difference in this close match, the Bears are learning and growing. Fans can look forward to more exciting games ahead as the season continues.