DES MOINES, Iowa - The Drake University volleyball team
dropped a 3-1 Missouri Valley Conference decision to Missouri State, Friday. The
Bulldogs fell to 9-19 overall and 5-9 in the Valley. Game scores were 20-25,
27-29, 26-24, 19-25.
Drake lost a match on Indiana State in the MVC Championship
race. The Sycamores downed Evansville, 3-0, in Evansville to move to 4-10.
The Bulldogs fell despite totaling 16 blocks, the most since
the team blocked 21 of Boise State's attacks on August 27. Senior Michelle Reidy (Dubuque, Iowa/Wahlert)
posted nine total blocks, the second-highest number by any Drake performer this
season, trailing only Emily Heffernen's
(Manchester, Iowa/West Delaware) 13 against Boise State. With five block
assists, Reidy took sole possession of third place on Drake's career blocks
list, passing Samantha Nelson's
(2004-07) total of 375. With 379 career block assists, Reidy is 36 blocks short
of Kori Knutson-Pollock's (1981)
second-place total of 415.
"That just fires you up," said head coach Tony Sunga of his
team's blocking effort. "You work harder behind them to get where you're
supposed to be. There is no guessing, we just defend behind the block. What
they hit at you isn't as tough to dig if you're blocking like that. That's a
whole world of confidence."
Redshirt freshman Haley Brightwell (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Kennedy) registered her first collegiate appearance
and totaled three kills and two blocks. Sophomore Stacie Hansen (Lincoln, Neb./Lincoln SW) set a career high with a
team-best 13 kills in her fourth match this season in double-figures.
"It had to be a whole team effort tonight," Sunga said. "The
bench was great; I have to really hand it to people who came in and out. Haley
Brightwell, especially. She came into a situation and did well."
Junior Whitney Westrum (Waukee, Iowa/Waukee) added 10 kills
and 12 digs for her 10th double-double of the season. Senior Caitlin Johnson (Sycamore, Ill./Sycamore Community) finished with 35 assists and 10
digs for her 13th double-double of the year.
Drake hosts Wichita State Saturday at 7 p.m.
