TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – The Indiana State volleyball program ended a 53-game losing skid to Missouri State on Saturday, defeating the Bears in a thrilling four-set match, 3-1.
 
The Sycamores' victory on Saturday was the first home win against MSU in school history and first win since 1994 when ISU took down the Bears 3-2 in Springfield, Mo. Head coach Lindsay Allman is now the first ISU coach to own a win over Missouri State since Rhonda Woodward.
 
It was a team effort for the blue and white on Senior Night, with five Sycamores recording seven or more kills, including 10 each from Gretchen Kuckkan, Nikkie White and Madeline Williams. The Bears did end the evening with more kills (59-49), but ISU managed to hold MSU to .174 hitting while the Trees finished at .203.
 
Missouri State was led offensively by Laynie Dake and Azyah Green who each tallied 11 kills.
 
Junior Mary Hannah Lewis led the Sycamores in assists, dishing out 22 while freshman Chloe Mason added 18 to help end the evening with 46 total assists. Missouri State did hold the advantage, however, with 52.
 
There was no shortage of service aces between the teams, as Indiana State, led by senior Jade York with three, unloaded for 10 aces, the most since ISU recorded 10 at St. Louis on Sept. 8, 2018. Missouri State also had a strong performance in the service game, earning nine aces of their own.
 
Defensively, the Trees were once again dominant. Indiana State held the advantage in digs, 56-54, and libero Melina Tedrow cross the 20-dig threshold for the 15th-time this season with 22 to lead all athletes. Three Bears ended with at least 10 digs.
 
Cassie Kawa, White and Williams made sure that the Sycamores remained in control of the net, as ISU held a 12-9 advantage in total blocks. Williams ended with an impressive seven block assists and one solo block, while White added six block assists and Kawa four.
 
Indiana State's season isn't yet over as they have one final push to make the Missouri Valley Conference tournament with a road swing at Illinois State and Bradley next weekend.
 
Set One - Missouri State 25, Indiana State 18

• Despite hitting .259, Indiana State was overwhelmed by Missouri State's 15 kills.
• Williams led the way offensively with three kills.
• Lewis and Mason recorded five and four assists, respectively.

 
Set Two - Indiana State 25, Missouri State 23

• After pulling ahead 5-4 early, ISU never trailed in the set.
• Kuckkan added four kills to lead the Trees.
• Defensively, Tedrow recorded nine of the team's 16 digs in the set.
• MSU ended with a 17-13 advantage in kills.

 
Set Three - Indiana State 29, Missouri State 27

• The Sycamores faced match point at 23-24, but kept their composure to take the set after having four match points.
• Williams recorded five kills on perfecting hitting, 1.0.
• York earned two of her three service aces in the third frame.

 
Set Four - Indiana State 25, Missouri State 22

• Both teams had their worst offensive sets of the game and both ended with 11 kills.
• ISU recorded an impressive five service aces in the final frame.
• Senior Rhiannon Morozoff led the offensive attack with four kills.
• The Trees were strong on the defensive side of the net with 14 digs to MSU's 10.

 
For the latest information on the Sycamore Volleyball team, make sure to check out GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.