After trailing two sets to rival Rio Grande, the Shawnee State Volleyball Team rallied back forcing a fifth set only to fall in the final frame. The RedStorm hand the Bears' their first conference loss as they fall to 2-1 in the Mid-South and 5-10 overall. Rio Grande improves their record to 10-6 overall and 2-1 in the conference.
The two teams opened the game in a thrilling battle that ended with Rio taking the set, 28-26. Shawnee State never led, but kept within reach of the RedStorm. With Rio leading 24-23, a kill error by Rio knotted the game at 24-24. A service error by the Bears gave Rio set point again, however another kill error by the RedStorm kept the Bears alive at 25-25. A SSU error gave Rio Grande the 26-25 advantage, but freshman Kelsey Bielanow slammed down a kill, tying the set 26-26. Rio's Betsy Schramm killed the ball for set point and another SSU error allowed Rio to take the set.
In the second set with the game tied at 3-3, Rio scored five points on SSU errors. Shawnee State never recovered as the RedStorm went on to win 25-18 and take a 2-0 advantage.
The Bears regrouped in the third set and took the set, 25-19. Rio Grande tied the game on seven occasions but never took the lead. After a 14-14 tie the Bears' buckled down and carried the momentum stretching their lead to 20-15. After exchanging points, senior Shaye Berry ended the set with consecutive kills.
With momentum on the Bears' side, Shawnee State forced a fifth and final set with a 25-18 win. Shawnee State led by as many as 10 behind the offense of Bielanow and Berry. The two combined for nine kills in the set.
In the final set, Rio Grande came out with intensity and captured a 8-1 lead. The shaken Bears' squad would never recover, falling 15-8 in the final frame.
Freshman Paige Zelich led four Bears in double-figure kills as she recorded a career-high 18 kills to go along with seven digs. Bielanow put down a career-high 15 kills. Junior Alex Pohl had 13 kills in the match, while Berry added 11 kills for the Bears. Sophomore Hannah Gephart set up a career-high 52 assists to go along with 18 digs and two service aces. Sophomores Kirsti Yates and Carly Mazza added 24 and 20 digs, respectively.
Shawnee State has a nine day break before they travel to Georgetown College on Friday, September 30th. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m. The Bears return home on October 6th as they host the University of the Cumberlands at 7:00 p.m.
