Box Score | Season Stats

WARRENSBURG - - Truman's valiant five-set comeback came up just a few points short on Thursday afternoon in the first round of the 2010 NCAA tournament, as sixth-seeded Abilene Christian (Texas) held on for a 3-2 (-14, -18, 19-25, 19-25, 15-10) victory against the No. 3 Bulldogs.

Senior outside hitter Allison Barker (Racine, Wis., Racine Lutheran) closed her collegiate career with a career-high 19 kills and 11 digs, while sophomore middle hitter Megan Sharpe (Edwardsville, Ill., Edwardsville) added ten kills and a pair of blocks.

The Bulldogs (25-8) stumbled out of the gate, falling behind 2-0 in the match as ACU (27-5) hit better than .310 in each of the first two frames while holding the Bulldogs to an .026 clip of their own.

Truman then fell behind, 16-11, in the third set before finding its extra gear and rallying with a 14-3 run to close the set and extend the match following a 25-19 set win.

That momentum continued, with the Bulldogs capturing the fourth set, 25-19, and sending the match to a decisive fifth set.

After leading by a slim 8-7 margin at the changeover, ACU took eight of the matches' final ten points to win the fifth set, 15-10.

Barker's 19 kills were not only a career-high but also led all players in the match. She was one of four Bulldogs with double-figure digs, as senior libero Casey Bruno (Pearland, Texas, Lutheran South) posted a match-high 28 and sophomore outside hitter Heather Hargadine (Labadie, Mo., St. Francis Borgia) added 16 of her own. Senior setter Ashley Petak (Omaha, Neb., Bellevue West) recorded a double-double with 15 assists and 13 digs, but it was junior Kylie Easlon (Edmond, Okla., Edmond Santa Fe) that took home top setting honors with 24.

The Bulldogs hit .096 as a team for the match and dug 87 balls, while ACU hit .218 and had 98 digs. ACU also won the battle at the net, out-blocking the 'Dogs, 11-5.

Truman closes its 2010 season with a 25-8 record and a third place finish in the MIAA. The squad loses four seniors – Allison Barker, Casey Bruno, Jenna Novelli and Ashley Petak – but will return four starters and three top reserves for the 2011 season.