BOX SCORE

RICHMOND, Ky. – Nikki Drost came up with a season-high 22 kills to lead all players in a heartbreaking Eastern Kentucky University volleyball loss to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in five sets on Friday night at McBrayer Arena.
 
EKU was behind 2-1 entering the fourth stanza where it opened up on a 4-0 run after a ball handling error from the Cougars, back-to-back blocks from a duo of Kaylin Johnson and Lauren Kolenik and a kill from Drost. The teams then went point-for-point down the stretch. The closest SIUE came to the hot-hitting Colonels was five, 13-8, after a kill from Taylor Joens. Johnson found an answer, sparking another four unanswered points from Eastern and stretching the lead, 17-8. The Cougars would take five more hits at the EKU lead but be unable to overcome the deficit, falling 25-13, giving the Colonels new life and forcing a fifth set.
 
In the fifth frame SIUE reached the mid-point first, 8-4. EKU drew within one on a Chloe Rojas service ace, 9-8, to force a Cougar timeout. After the break the Colonels took four of the next five points to take the lead, 13-12. SIUE's Jackie Scott then came up with a crucial kill to even the score at 13-13. Back-to-back attack errors from Eastern Kentucky would close the set and match in favor of the Cougars, 15-13.
 
Chloe Rojas notched a career-high 30 digs to lead the defensive effort for all players while Cassie Knutson led all players with 29 assists. Johnson led all players with eight blocks.
 
EKU hit a match-best .500 during the fourth set.
 
Samantha Knight (25 assists, 15 digs) and Mallory Nicholson (15 assists, 12 digs) recorded double-doubles for SIU Edwardsville.
 
The Colonels out-blocked the Cougars 10-8 and tacked on nine service aces.
 
SIUE moves to 15-4 (5-2 OVC) while Eastern Kentucky falls to 7-14 (5-2 OVC).
 
EKU will be back in action against Eastern Illinois University at 2 p.m. tomorrow at McBrayer Arena.