Trojans Drop Competitive Opener

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Little Rock combined for 10 blocks and limited Missouri State to just a .200 hitting mark but dropped a close match in the season opener for both teams with a 3-0 decision at the Jack Stephens Center Sunday afternoon.
 
It would be the defensive adjustments from Saturday's exhibition that were most notable for the host Trojans (0-1), forcing 20 hitting errors by the visiting Bears (1-0). But Missouri State was able to finish late, withstanding a Little Rock run in a tense second set that ended 27-25.
 
Freshmen Nicole Medlin and Zanobia Willis each registered five blocks for the Trojans while Laura Jansen put down 12 kills. Brooklyn Cink led the Bear offense with 20 kills.
 
FINAL | Missouri State 3, Little Rock 0 | 25-19, 27-25, 25-20 | Box Score | PDF | Photo Gallery
 
Beyond the Box Score

• There were 17 ties in the match including 10 in that close second set.
• Stefania Anagnostou posted three blocks in the opening set.
• Leigh Maher registered 11 of her 21 digs in the second set.
• Laura Jansen put down five kills in the second set.
• Alyssa Nayer posted five digs in the final set.
• Little Rock out-blocked Missouri State in the final set, 4-0.

 
Leaders by the Numbers
Kills: 12, Laura Jansen
Assists: 19, Alyssa Nayar
Service Aces: 3, Nathalia Vigineski
Digs: 21, Leigh Maher
Blocks: 5, Nicole Medlin, Zanobia Willis
 
Notables

• Little Rock now trails the all-time series against Missouri State, 4-2.
• Leigh Maher, a transfer from LSU, recorded a career-high 21 digs and three assists.
• The Trojans starting lineup featured four true freshmen.
• Nicole Medlin and Zanobia Willis each recorded five blocks in their collegiate debuts.
• The Trojans recorded 10 blocks in Sunday's season-opener. It took eight matches for Little Rock to reach double-digit blocks last season.

 
Next Up
Little Rock will open Sun Belt Conference play next weekend with a three-game series against Louisiana (6-0).
 
For the latest information on Little Rock Volleyball, make sure to check out LRTrojans.com. You can also find the team on social media at @LittleRockVB on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
 
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