DES MOINES, IOWA - Mid-match tinkering by head coach Phil McDaniel and Emily Heffernen's (Manchester, Iowa) season-high 14 kills helped the Drake University volleyball team rally from a two-set deficit to force a fifth game against Missouri State, but couldn't put the Bulldogs over the top. Drake dropped its second-straight match, 3-2 (19-25, 18-25, 25-18, 25-21, 13-15), to the Bears.

Looking for a change after dropping six-straight sets, McDaniel left sophomore outside hitter Whitney Westrum (Waukee, Iowa) in for the full duration and rotated senior Angela Bys (Marion, Iowa) and junior Erika Price (Littleton, Colo.) between front and back row slots. The Bulldogs (17-5, 3-5 MVC) responded by taking the third and fourth sets and forcing a climactic fifth. Missouri State (14-4, 5-2 MVC) rallied to win the fifth set, 15-13.

"We talked during the intermission about hanging in there and keeping the intensity, about being more aggressive at the net and in the back row," McDaniel said. "Making those changes made it easier for us to stay in-system."

Bys led the attack with 16 kills with Heffernen's season-high 14 right behind her. Hefernen also hit a team-best .367 on the night.

"She certainly was our constant tonight," McDaniel added. "She was solid in transition and quick to attack the ball. She's a smart player and did a great job tonight against a good blocking team."

Calli Norman led Missouri State with five total blocks. Christine McCartney led the Bears with 21 kills and a .321 attack percentage.

Drake senior Alana Wittenburg (Readlyn, Iowa), already second in the nation in digs with 5.89 per set, tallied 32 to lead all performers. Senior setter Susan Clausen (Johnston, Iowa) totaled 20 assists and was one dig short of her third double-double of the season with nine.

The Bulldogs host Creighton next Saturday at 7 p.m.