TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Curry Kendall tallied a career and match-high 19 kills Friday night, but Missouri State spoiled the Sycamores' return to ISU Arena in four sets (28-26, 15-25, 25-19, 25-14).
 
Kendall also added eight digs for the Trees, while Emma Kaelin recorded her team-leading sixth double-double of the season with 13 kills and a season-high 16 digs. Emily Weber registered a season-high 43 assists, while Macy Lengacher added 14 digs from the libero spot.
 
Indiana State got off to a strong start courtesy of kills from Kendall, Kaelin and Lily Mueller. Aces from Kendall and Weber, along with a kill from Ella Scott, kept the Trees in front by a pair in the early stages, and the Sycamoers extended their lead to 16-11 midway though following kills from Mueller, Kaelin and Kendall. Indiana State tacked on to its lead with kills from Weber and Kira Holland, but Missouri State came roaring back. The Bears overcame a seven-point Sycamore lead, and despite Kendall fending off multiple set points with kills, managed to win the opening set over Indiana State 28-26.
 
Kills from Scott, Kendall and Kaelin, along with a Macy Lengacher service ace, gave Indiana State an early 6-3 lead in set two, and the Sycamores kept up the momentum with kills from the same trio. Two kills apiece midway through the set from Holland and Kaelin, along with multiple Missouri State errors, further extended Indiana State's lead to 16-8 midway through the set. Further kills from Kendall, Scott and Kaelin saw the Sycamores increase their lead to double-digits at 22-11, and the Trees kept their foot on the gas to close out the set. A block assist from Scott and Holland capped set two, as Indiana State leveled the score by taking the set 25-15.
 
Kendall opened set three with a kill, but Missouri State scored seven of the next nine points to go in front. The Sycamores worked their way back with a kill and an ace from Kaelin, and further kills from Holland and Weber pulled the Trees within a pair at 11-9. Holland got the Sycamores even closer with a kill to make it 12-11, but Indiana State couldn't find the scoring run it needed to take the lead. Five kills between Kaelin and Kendall kept the Sycamores within a point late in the set, but a 4-0 run helped Missouri State take the third set by a 25-19 margin.
 
Early kills from Weber and Kendall kept the Trees on level footing early in set four, but things unraveled quickly after that. Missouri State went on an 8-0 run to take a commanding 14-4 lead and never looked back. Kendall tried to give the Sycamores life with four kills following the Bears' scoring run, and Weber added a pair of kills in that span as well, but the Trees were unable to sustain any momentum in the back half of the set. Missouri State clinched the match by taking set four 25-14.
 
News and Notes

• Curry Kendall's 19 kills were the most by an Indiana State player in a match this season, and represented her third match with double-digit kills this season.
• Emma Kaelin's double-double was her sixth of the season and the 23rd of her career, both of which are the most among Indiana State's active roster.
• Emily Weber's 43 assists in Friday's match were her most in a Sycamore uniform, and also represented her best per-set average (10.75) in a conference match this season.
• Indiana State's attack revolved around the pin hitters Friday, with Kira Holland, Emma Kaelin and Curry Kendall combining for 39 of the Sycamores' 53 kills in the match.
• Indiana State's first three sets showed positive signs from the attacking front, with 45 kills across the first three frames. The Sycamores hit .382 in their second set win, while limiting Missouri State to a .100 hitting percentage in that set.
• Friday's match was Indiana State's first inside ISU Arena since the Sycamores' Sept. 7 home opener against Butler.

 
Up Next
Indiana State has a quick turnaround with the Sycamores returning to action inside ISU Arena Saturday at 5 p.m. against Southern Illinois
 
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