#6 Courtney Brown setting the ball. VyStar Arena, Sept. 5, 2026. Photo by Hunter Triplett
Kennesaw State volleyball fell to Missouri State 3-2 on Saturday at VyStar Arena after dropping the final three sets of the match following an early two-set lead.
The Owls won the first two sets 25-21 and 25-20 before Missouri State came back to take the third and fourth sets, 25-19 and 25-23. The Bears secured the match with a 15-12 victory in the decisive fifth set.
KSU opened the match with strong offensive plays from Haley Patterson, who recorded two early kills to help establish the Owls’ presence at the net. The first set stayed close, with both teams trading points throughout the first few minutes.
Olivia Burragehelped KSU keep the momentum with a kill to give the Owls a 10-9 lead. Patterson later delivered a crucial block as the teams continued to exchange points. KSU’s defense became a key factor late in the set, with Burrage and Patterson producing important blocks at the net.
The Owls eventually created separation, taking a 23-20 lead before Ashlyn Anderson delivered the final kill to secure the 25-21 win.
Mo State opened the second set with a 3-1 advantage, but KSU responded with improved offensive execution to take an early 8-6 lead. Ava Garner contributed a kill to extend the Owls’ advantage, while Hunter Cook added strong plays at the net.
KSU built a seven-point lead at 17-10 as Garner continued to make an impact defensively, and eventually they closed out the set 25-20 to take a 2-0 lead.
Mo State responded in the third set, keeping the score close before taking control late. Anderson continued to provide strong blocking, while Cook contributed an attacking play to keep KSU in the set. Burrage delivered a kill to give the Owls an 11-10 advantage, but the Bears regained momentum and pulled ahead. Mo State won the set 25-19 to cut KSU’s lead to 2-1.
The fourth set featured another back-and-forth battle. The Owls took an early 3-1 lead and held a 15-12 advantage midway through the set. A long rally ended with a Burrage kill, followed by a block that helped KSU move ahead 18-13.
The Bears responded with a late rally, tying the score at 19-19 before completing the comeback with a 25-23 victory to force a fifth set.
“We’ve got to learn how to finish. We’ve got to learn how to complete the match, but this is some of the cleanest ball we’ve played this year,” Owls coach Keith Schunzel said.
Both teams traded points in the deciding set, with neither side able to establish a comfortable advantage. KSU fought to remain within reach, narrowing the margin to 12-11, but Mo State closed out the match 15-12.
The loss came during a two-match Conference USA home series against Mo State. Before the weekend, KSU had won three consecutive matches, including a sweep of Delaware, and earned conference recognition for several players, including Burrage and Cook.
The Owls will look to regroup as they continue with a conference match on the road against Western Kentucky on Oct. 23.
