Missouri State volleyball knocked the Salukis out of the Missouri Valley Conference tournament last season, but the Dawgs got revenge.

SIU volleyball (12-6, 3-2) defeated No. 22 Missouri State (12-5, 3-1) for its first conference loss this season in five sets (22-25, 25-9, 23-25, 25-23, 15-8) Monday night at Davies Gymnasium. 

Missouri State had a three-match winning streak before facing the Salukis. 

After the Bears won the first set 25-22, the Salukis led the second set in its entirety en route to a 25-9 set win. 

“After the second set we really beat them,” sophomore outside hitter Andrea Estrada said. “We can play like we did before and we need to come back with high energy.”

Missouri State tallied 37 attack errors, 11 of them coming in the second set. SIU hit for a .478 attack efficiency with one error in the set. They hit .266 as a team.

SIU coach Justin Ingram said he knew Missouri State would play better in the third set. 

The Salukis hit for a .176 attack efficiency in the third set with six attack errors. The Bears’ third set was its best statistically, hitting for a .282 attack efficiency. 

Missouri State won the third set 23-25.

SIU rallied back to win the fourth set before clinching the victory in the fifth set.

Junior setter and hitter Meg Viggars recorded two service aces to help secure her team a victory in the set and match.

“Our service game is what dictated some easier opportunities for block and back row defense,” Ingram said.

Viggars led the Salukis with a .522 attack efficiency, 26 assists and three service aces.

Estrada finished as the Salukis’ leading hitter in the match with 17 kills on 43 attempts with seven errors. She also added 13 digs for the Saluki defense.

The Salukis avoided losing two matches in a row after their loss to Loyola on Saturday. SIU has yet to lose twice in a row this season.

“Anybody can beat anybody, you have to be on your top every night.” Viggars said.

The Salukis play the Evansville Purple Aces (7-12, 1-4) at 6 p.m. Saturday in Evansville, Ind. 

Evan Jones can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @EvanJones_DE