SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Senior outside hitter Haley Bush reached the 1,000 career kill plateau as the Drake volleyball team rallied for a comeback victory in five sets at Missouri State inside the Hammons Student Center on Saturday, Oct. 1. The Bulldogs improved to 12-5 overall and 3-1 in Missouri Valley Conference play while the Bears dropped to 5-11 with a 2-2 mark in the MVC. 
 
"Haley has been instrumental in our success over the past few seasons," head coach Darrin McBroom said. "She has helped raise our competitiveness level in the Missouri Valley. I've been impressed with Haley embracing a leadership role off and off the court this year."
 
Drake fell behind 19-15 in the first set, but back-to-back kills by Ashlynn Kuhn followed by a Bush service ace evened the set at 20 points apiece. Mariana Rodrigues contributed back-to-back kills to put the Bulldogs in front, 22-20. Missouri State responded to even the match, 24-24. An ace by Addison Beagle boosted the Bulldogs to a 26-24 victory in the opening set.
 
The Bears set up match point leading 24-19, but the Bulldogs went down swinging in the second set. Kills by Bush and Kuhn tied the set at 24 before Missouri State claimed set two by a 26-24 margin. 
 
The hosts controlled the third set, grabbing an early lead and never letting up for a 25-17 set victory. Drake trailed the match, 2-1 before jumping out to a 20-14 advantage in the fourth set. The Bears answered with eight consecutive points. Instead of giving up, the Bulldogs dug in and tied the set, 23-23 thanks to a kill by Kacie Rewerts. 
 
Both teams exchanged points until the set was deadlocked at 27-27. An MSU attack error brought up set point for Drake. The Bears' return attack was initially ruled in, but after video replay review, the point and set were awarded to Drake.
 
Suddenly, the momentum was on the visiting bench. Bush slammed her 19^th and final kill of the match for a 7-4 edge in the fifth set. Taylor Oberpriller ended the thriller with a swing that placed the ball down the middle on the hardwood. Drake completed the thrilling come-from-behind win with a 15-12 victory in the deciding set.
 
"I'm proud of our team tonight," McBroom said. "We weren't our best but found a way to get it done as a team and coaching staff. After six weeks on the road, it was really nice to get the win."
 
The Bulldogs will return home to the newly renovated Knapp Center to host Illinois State on Friday, Oct. 7 at 6 p.m. 
 
Notes

• Haley Bush became the 11^th player in Drake history to notch 1,000 career kills. Bush currently ranks 11^th in career kills at Drake with 1,006, just 10 shy of tying Alison Dedrick (1988-91) for 10^th all-time. 
• Ashlynn Kuhn recorded a season-high 12 kills, which matches her career-high.
• Jada Wills had 30 digs to mark the third time this season she has recorded at least 30 digs. 
• Taylor Oberpriller contributed 14 kills and five block assists.
• Kacie Rewerts added nine kills with six block assists. 
• Drake has already surpassed last season's win total (11).
• Drake defeated Missouri State for the 11^th time in school history (Missouri State leads the all-time series, 54-11).