Kirksville, Mo. – Truman Volleyball delivered a strong weekend in front of the home crowd, sweeping Southwest Baptist on Friday night before outlasting Drury in a five-set thriller on Saturday inside Pershing Arena. The Bulldogs improved to 11–14 overall and 6–4 in GLVC play with the pair of wins.
Truman 3, Southwest Baptist 0 (25-17, 27-25, 25-21)
Truman opened the weekend with a convincing sweep of Southwest Baptist, using an efficient attack and steady serving to control the match from start to finish.
The Bulldogs started fast with a 25–17 first-set win, hitting .238 behind Michaela Goad's five kills and Autumn Erickson's strong presence at the net. The second set was the closest of the night, as Truman battled back from a 24–22 deficit. Consecutive kills from Laci Neece and an ace from Tori Creason helped the Bulldogs rally to take the frame 27–25. In the third, Truman held off a late Bearcat push to close the sweep 25–21.
Goad led the Bulldogs with nine kills, Erickson added seven kills and five aces, and Makayla Way finished with five kills and six total blocks. Creason distributed the offense with 36 assists and added three service aces, while Addy Janssen anchored the back row with 14 digs. Truman hit .169 as a team while holding Southwest Baptist to just .092 hitting.
Truman 3, Drury 2 (22-25, 25-22, 14-25, 34-32, 15-9)
Saturday's matchup with Drury proved to be one of the most exciting of the season, as Truman pulled out a five-set victory in front of an energized home crowd.
After splitting the first two sets, the Bulldogs regrouped following a tough third-set loss. The fourth set turned into an instant classic. Truman fought off seven Drury match points in an epic 34–32 win. Michaela Goad and Autumn Erickson delivered clutch kills during the extended frame, while Creason employed multiple setter dumps for kills.. Laci Neece's kill finally capped the set, sending the match to a decisive fifth.
Riding the momentum, Truman stormed ahead 7–3 in the fifth and never looked back, finishing the comeback with a 15–9 victory to secure the match.
Goad paced the Bulldogs with 17 kills, Erickson and Neece each added 14, and Makayla Way followed with nine kills and four blocks. Creason ran the offense with 56 assists, while Janssen recorded 33 digs and added two aces. Truman hit .217 as a team and out-dug Drury 92–104.
Key Stats – Weekend Totals & Leaders
Team Totals (2 matches):
Weekend Leaders:
Up Next:
The Bulldogs will travel for their final roadtrip of the season next weekend against Quincy on Friday at 6:00 PM and Illinois-Springfield on Saturday at 3:00 PM. Truman State's 6-4 GLVC record has them sitting in 5th play in a crowded middle pack of the GLVC.
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