Springfield, Mo. –

The Central Arkansas volleyball team lost for only the second time this season on Monday night, falling to Missouri State 3-1.

The Sugar Bears (19-2, 7-1 SLC) came into Monday night’s match leading the Southland Conference with a hitting percentage of .282, but they managed only a paltry .131 on the night. Central Arkansas failed to hit over .200 in any set during the match, topping out at an even .200 in their third set win. Taylor Hammonds was the only Central Arkansas player to hit higher than .200 for the match, hitting .294 on her way to seven kills. Jessica Hays lead UCA in kills, with 17. She added 12 digs, a block, and an assist. Heather Schnars was the only other Sugar Bear with double-digit kills, getting 10 to go along with seven digs, one block, one assist, and a service ace. Marissa Collins, who was named the Southland’s Offensive Player of the Week for the second consecutive week earlier in the day, dished out 46 assists while also tallying nine digs.

Missouri State (11-9, 5-3 MVC) hit .201 on the way to set victories of 25-17, 25-23, and 25-17. They were led by Kaitlin Jaeger, one of three Bears to record double-digit kills, who hit .320 to go along with 10 kills, six blocks, four digs, and an assists. Olivia Brand led the Bears with 15 kills. She also turned in four blocks, four digs, and two assists. Andrea Beatty was the final Missouri State player with double-digit kills, collecting 10 in addition to six blocks, a dig, and an assist. Carly Thomas paced the Missouri State offense, distributing 42 assists while chipping in eight digs, five kills, two blocks, and two aces.

Central Arkansas looks to get back on track on Saturday, playing host to Oral Roberts, who will be visiting the Prince Center for the first time as a member of the Southland Conference. The match will get underway at five o’clock.