KIRKSVILLE, Mo.—The Truman Volleyball team concluded their home slate Saturday afternoon against Illinois Springfield, falling 3-0 (25-14, 25-19, 25-22) to the Prairie Stars. Ellie Kaat, Morgan Smith and Katy Motz all played their final matches at Pershing Arena.

The first set opened with the Bulldogs allowing Kaat to get one final swing and a curtain call. UIS jumped out to a 5-1 lead, but Truman struck for four of the next five points to draw back within one. Smith and Monica Brown both picked up kills in the run. Truman hung around, but UIS reeled off 11 straight points in the middle of the set to make it 19-6 and put the set out of reach.

Truman flipped the script early in the second set as they took four of the first five points. Ainsley Heise picked up her first kill in the run. UIS got two straight to draw within one point, then Kate Benzing picked up her first kill to start a 3-0 run for Truman to go up 7-3. But momentum flipped again and UIS went up 15-8. A 5-0 run got Truman back in it at Hanna Berry picked up a kill and an ace, Smith got two kills. Truman would get within one at 19-18 but could not tie or take the lead in the set.

Maura Ploesser made her first appearance in set three, and she picked up a kill and an ace early in the set as it was tied at eight early. But once again, UIS had a big run in the middle of the set and took a 23-16 lead. A 5-0 run for the Bulldogs with three kills from Smith and one from Allison Beaton made it 23-21, the Bulldogs couldn't complete the comeback as UIS finished the set and the match.

Smith had a double-double in her final home match with 11 kills to lead the team; and 16 digs. Macy Vanfossan led the team with 17 digs, and Motz led with 15 assists.

The Bulldogs will wrap up their season with three road matches this week: first to Maryville Tuesday, then Quincy Wednesday and then the finale at UMSL on Saturday.