@CanesVB Falls to Missouri St. in Five Sets

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The University of Miami volleyball team dropped its opening match in the Dr. Mary Jo Wynn Invitational, falling to host Missouri State in five sets.

Missouri State took the opening set, 25-20, thanks to a 15-6 run to close out the first set. But the Canes bounced back and evened the match with a 25-16 victory in the second set that sent the Hurricanes and Bears into the intermission tied at one set apiece.

The Canes (3-1) charged out of the intermission with a 25-21 win in the third set, but Missouri State evened the match when they took the fourth set 25-22. The Bears defended their home court, taking the fifth set 15-6 and handing Miami its first loss of 2015.

The Hurricanes had four players finish with double-figure kills, but struggled to attack efficiently hitting .223 for the night. Miami was led by Olga Strantzali, who had 16 kills and 13 digs to record her second double-double of the season.

Kelsie Groot added 12 kills and three block assists, while Alexis Mourning and Taylor Scott each had 11 kills to round out Miami’s kill leaders on Friday night. Mourning added four total blocks and a service ace, while Scott led the Canes with three service aces and added a pair of solo blocks.

Sophomore middle blocker Sakile Simmons led the Hurricanes with five blocks and hit .400 with three kills, while Haley Templeton dished out 47 assists and recorded two service errors and three blocks. Senior libero Kalysta White was second on the team with 12 digs.

The Canes will return to action on Saturday, playing Marquette at noon and Oral Roberts at 6:30 p.m. ET in their final two matches at the Dr. Mary Jo Wynn Invitational.

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