DES MOINES, Iowa — The Drake University volleyball team fell to Wichita State, 3-0, in its Missouri Valley Conference home opener on Friday, Sept. 30, evening at the Knapp Center.

Wichita State (10-4, 3-0 MVC), the preseason MVC favorite, prevailed by set scores of 25-17, 25-20 and 25-18. Drake senior Michelle Thommi (Omaha, Neb.) led the Bulldogs with 14 digs to try and slow the Shockers' attack while junior Kameo Pope (Belle Plaine, Iowa) had a pair of blocks and six kills.

WSU was led by three players in double-figure kills with Tabitha Brown's 11 leading the way while Emily Hiebert notched 41 of the team's 47 assists to help the team hit .349.

Despite hitting .170 as a team, Drake (10-7, 1-2 MVC) had four players hit .270 or higher including freshman Elle Tubbs (Clinton, Iowa) hitting .333 and senior Makena Schoene (Seattle, Wash.) posting a .316 rate.

"Overall, tonight was not the result we wanted, but it was not a bad showing as a team," said Drake head coach Darrin McBroom. "We're proud of the growth we're showing in our offensive ability, but we need to get better at slowing down a high-powered offense."

WSU never trailed during the opening set and hit. 459 to easily dispatch the Bulldogs, 25-17. Drake trailed again early in the second set but thanks to kills from Tubbs, Schoene and Kyla Inderski (Urbandale, Iowa) the Bulldogs clawed back into the set before falling, 25-20. Drake kept that energy to open the third set, keeping the set tight early with nine ties and three lead changes before the Shockers gradually pulled away and closed the set on a 7-2 run to take the set, 25-18.

The Bulldogs return to the court on Saturday, Oct. 1, when they host Missouri State at the Knapp Center at 7 p.m. The Bears, who were tabbed second in the MVC preseason poll, are 10-7 overall and 1-2 in the MVC after defeating UNI on Friday night.