SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Louisiana Tech fell in straight sets (25-20, 25-17, 25-16) to Missouri State on Saturday afternoon inside Hammons Student Center.
 
LA Tech (7-17, 0-10 CUSA) hung tough in the opening set, stringing a 4-1 run together that was capped off by a service ace from Zari Gillispie to take a 12-11 advantage.  However, Missouri State (10-11, 5-5 CUSA) responded with a 5-0 surge to regain the lead.  Guilia Bonifacio delivered a pair of late kills, but the Bears held on for the 25-20 win.
 
Set two was much the same as the Bulldogs and Bears were in a tight battle to start, knotted up at 9-9.  It was another mid-set run by MSU that made the difference as the home team went on a 7-0 spurt to run away with a 25-17 decision and take a two-set lead.
 
LA Tech got off to a strong start in the third, jumping out to a 4-0 lead behind a kill and service ace from Grace Luevanos.  MSU quickly answered to get back into the set and later closed out the set with a 7-1 run to win in straight sets.
 
Bonifacio and Jailen Hurley each tallied nine kills to lead the Bulldogs while Sydnee Carter posted 17 assists.  Defensively, LA Tech combined for 30 digs and five blocks.

QUOTABLES
Head coach Scott Mattera

"Strange match today -- side out offense was humming when we got the passes but could not buy a kill in transition and just could not figure Missouri State out blocking or defensively.  A disappointing weekend for sure after last weekend really felt like something clicked.  Got to keep our heads up and keep working to put everything together at the same time rather than pieces of what we do working at different times."
 
UP NEXT
LA Tech will be back home inside the Thomas Assembly Center on Friday, Oct. 31 as the Bulldogs host New Mexico State on Senior Day.  First serve is set for 2 p.m. CT on ESPN+.
 
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