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MST - UIU Box Score

The Peacock volleyball team dropped a pair of decisions at the Middle of Everywhere Tournament hosted by Missouri S&T in Rolla, Mo. The two losses drop UIU's record to 4-2 overall this season.

Upper Iowa got on the court Friday morning looking to continue their early season success. However, the Bearcats of Northwest Missouri State had other plans. 

The Bearcats took control of the first set pushing out to a 17-8 lead before UIU attempted a comeback. The Peacocks cut the lead down to just a few points but fell 25-22. UIU continued to struggle in the second set losing 25-18. Upper Iowa rallied in set three claiming a 25-19 win thanks to 17 kills and a .310 hitting percentage. 

In the fourth set, Upper Iowa built an 11-8 lead but the Bearcats stormed back to tie the set at 12-12. The score remained tight and was still tied 25-25. NMSU scored three of the final four points in the set to take a 28-26 win and seal a 3-1 match victory. 

Jennifer Mundt led the attack with 15 kills while Hailey Brown and Melanie Behnke also reached double figures in kills with 13 and 11, respectively. Skylar Lesan handed out 37 assists and added 9 digs. Amanda Weiss racked up 21 digs and Kayla Wagner blocked five balls in the match. 

The Peacocks and Miners of Missouri S&T locked up in a see-saw battle that Upper Iowa came up on the short end 3-2. UIU took the first set 25-20 despite hitting just .182. The Miners bounced back with a 25-22 win in set two and a 25-19 win in set three. Upper Iowa won the fourth set 26-24 but but fell 18-16 in the fifth set as the Miners scored four of the final five points.

Behnke accumulated 21 kills and three other Peacocks also reached double digits including Brown (13), Mundt (13) and Wagner (10). Lesan paced the offense with 57 assists and chipped in 9 digs. Weiss and Danielle Gernes led the defense with 29 and 22 digs, respectively; Wagner registered 7 blocks.

Upper Iowa will return to the hardwood tomorrow to face Missouri Western State at 11 a.m. The Peacocks will wrap up their play at the Middle of Everywhere tournament at 3 p.m. when they line up against Emporia State.