JOPLIN, Mo. – SWOSU Volleyball took Missouri Southern the distance in the season opener, even battling back from a 10-5 fifth set deficit, but could not fully overcome the margin and fell to the Lions in game one of the Missouri Southern Lion Classic.

The Dawgs will not have much time to dwell on the result with two more games tomorrow in the round robin tournament. SWOSU will take on Truman State at 9am and Newman at 3pm to cap off the busy day.

Things looked good after the first set on Thursday, as SWOSU controlled the flow and jumped out to a 1-0 set lead following a comfortable 25-18 score.

MSSU responded with close wins in sets two and three – edging out the Dawgs in both sets by the required two points. (25-23, 27-25)

In the fourth, SWOSU cruised out to a 22-12 lead before the Lions attempted a comeback. MSSU got within three at 24-21, but inevitably dropped the set. Despite losing the set, the comeback perhaps was added momentum for them heading into the fifth set where they would lead wire-to-wire to win the match.

SWOSU outhit MSSU with a .286 hitting percentage compared to .209 from the opposition. Lacy Mott led the offense with a career best 23 kills (.300) followed by Maicee Morgan with 15. Mott also led the defense with 21 digs – one shy of tying her career high.

Terez Chavez posted 53 assists from her setter position.

MSSU notched nine services aces, while the Dawgs managed five.