Where have we heard this before? Eutectics come close, but can't close out win

MARSHALL, MO – The Eutectics continued a recurring theme on Tuesday night as they lost in three sets to Missouri Valley, 29-27, 25-20, 25-23. Grant Hoover had a tremendous night with 21 kills and a hitting percentage of .436, but it was not enough to lead UHSP to their first-ever win over the Vikings. UHSP has played 88 sets this season, winning 39 and losing 49. In those 49 sets that they have dropped 23 of them have come by a difference of between three and five points, while 14 of them have come by just two points. Thus, 75.5% of the sets that the Eutectics have lost in matches this year have been decided by at most five points.

GAME HIGHLIGHTS:

MISSOURI VALLEY DEF. UHSP; 29-27, 25-20, 25-23

• At 7-4 in the opening set, UHSP scored six in a row to claim a 10-7 advantage. After a mid-set run of taking five of six, the Eutectics led 18-14. Missouri Valley managed to tie the set at 22 and 23, but the Eutectics had three set points turned aside as the Vikings eventually scored three in a row to win the set 29-27.
• It was a good start to the second for UHSP as they led 6-1, 10-4 and seemed in complete control at 17-10. That is when MVC scored seven in a row to tie it at 17-17 and eventually trailing 20-19, they would roll off the final six points of the set to take a two sets to one lead.
• The third set featured ten ties and was all even at 22-22 when Missouri Valley got a pair of kills and a UHSP error as they claimed three of the final four points to wrap up the sweep. The Vikings hit a match-best .417 in the final set.
• Nolan Rausch dished out 38 assists on the night for UHSP along with an ace and four digs. Leonardo Goncalves had 27 assists and five digs for the Vikings.
• Bart Mulder led MoVal with 15 kills and Luca Hasse had 12.
• David Quiñones had 11 digs while Xavier Gamayo added ten.
• Hoover added five digs and a pair of aces. It was the fifth time this season that Hoover reached at least 20 kills in a match with three of those efforts coming in the last four matches.
• Missouri Valley now leads the all-time series against UHSP 13-0.

NEXT UP:

Things get no easier for the Eutectics (10-14, 6-10 HEART) in their next match when they travel to meet the undefeated #2-ranked Park Pirates (23-0, 14-0 HEART) on Friday at 7:00p. UHSP took a set off the Pirates but lost in four sets back on February 27. Then it is a Saturday doubleheader at Avila as UHSP plays the Eagles and then the Central Christian Tigers.