SIU suffered its second loss of the season to the Missouri State Bears 3-0 in Friday evening’s matchup.

The Salukis came into their contest against the Bears looking to put an end to their 29-game conference winning streak.

Southern matched up to the Bears earlier in the season resulting in Missouri State sweeping SIU.

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The Bears started off the first set showing their dominance with three quick points from a couple of kills and a bad set from Southern.

The Salukis were able to end their slow start by putting up back-to-back points inspired by a kill from senior outside hitter Abby Barrow to make the score 3-2.

After a period of trading points, MSU started putting the ball on the floor recording three straight kills with two of them coming from senior outside hitter Lily Johnson to give the Bears a 16-12 advantage.

Southern reeled their opponents right back in putting up four straight points sparked by a kill from senior outside hitter Andrea Estrada to tie the game at 16 points each.

After another period of trading points, Missouri State was able to break the tie and put up five straight points to give them a 23-18 advantage.

Southern could never inch their way back as the Bears went on to take the first set 25-20 giving them the 1-0 match advantage.

The second set began with both teams exchanging scores until MSU was able to break away by putting three straight points on the board with a couple of kills and an attacking error to give them the 8-5 lead.

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The Salukis were able to answer back later in the set by putting three consecutive points on the board with kills from Barrow and junior middle blocker Patience Brown to tie the game at 10.

The set saw both team trading points, but it was the Bears who came out on top as they put together a three-point run to end the second set at 25-22 moving them one set closer to completing the sweep.

Southern broke away in the third set, scoring three consecutive points started by a kill from Estrada for a 7-5 lead.

Missouri State answered back quickly going on a three-point run to take the lead away from the Salukis, that gave them the 11-10 advantage.

The Bears were able to extend their lead to 14-11 with two kills and a service ace forcing SIU to take a timeout to slow down the opposition’s momentum.

The Salukis came out of their timeout and turned the game around as they put up a two-point run and three-point run with two kills from Barrow that gave them 16-15 lead.

Missouri State bounced right back stinging together three straight to once again put the Bears ahead of SIU at 18-16.

Southern could never regain their footing as the Bears went on to take the final set 25-21 completing the sweep and extending their conference winning streak to 30.

Barrow led the Salukis with 16 kills on the night.

Sophomore setter Alayna Martin led the team with 19 assists and 16 digs, completing a double-double.

Estrada recorded 13 kills and 14 digs to complete her eighth straight double-double against the Bears.

Up next the Salukis will return to Davies Gym on Nov. 11 to take on Drake University. First serve is scheduled for 2 p.m.

Sports reporter Dillon Gilliland can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter at @DillonGilliland.

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