MOREHEAD, Ky. – The injury bug struck once more as the Jacksonville State volleyball team fell on the road to Morehead State (15-25, 15-25, 21-25) Friday night inside Wetherby Gym.
 
JSU (11-16, 2-7 Ohio Valley Conference) has experienced a rash of injuries including the leading returners in digs, kills and now assists from a season ago go down. Sophomore setter Jennifer Hart exited Friday's match two points into the second set due to injury.
 
With the win, MSU improved to 8-15 overall and 5-4 in league play
 
Sophomore Allyson Zuhlke was the lone Gamecock with double digit kills finishing the night with 10. In relief of Hart. sophomore Charis Ludtke set a career-high with 11 assists. She previously never had more than one assist in any match.
 
On the defense, senior Emily Rutherford led with 11 digs followed by sophomore Hannah Kirk with six. Freshman Mandee Eberle and Zuhlke each had a pair of blocks to lead the way at the net defensively.
 
JSU took a quick lead in the opening frame before the Eagles came back to tie and take the lead. MSU began to pull away, 11-6, forcing the visitors to call for time. After trailing 17-9, JSU cut its deficit back to five at 20-15. MSU freshman Merideth Jewell picked up a couple of kills at the end as the Eagles took the final five points of the set.
 
Trouble came early in the second set when setter Jennifer Hart had to leave the court with an injury. In Hart's absence, Ludtke took over as the primary setter. The Gamecocks were in a 2-0 hole at the time, but fought back to take a 9-6 advantage. The Eagles quickly adjusted, tying the set at 11. MSU won a long rally to go up 16-12 and had all the momentum from that point. Finishing the stanza on a 14-4 run, the Eagles took a two-set match lead.
 
An inspired group of Gamecocks returned from intermission for the third set. Jax State climbed out to a 7-2 lead to open the set. MSU rallied to tie it at nine and later began to pull away from a 12-12 deadlock. Behind an energetic crowd, The Eagles went on to take the set 25-21.
 
Despite the outcome, head coach Terry Gamble was proud of how his Gamecocks continue to compete when faced with adversity.
 
"I could not be more proud of how the girls responded after Jenn (Hart) was hurt," said Gamble. "To play in a system we've never practiced showed how hard they worked."
 
"It's been that kind of season, but the one thing I know is our girls are going to continue to work hard and represent JSU with class."
 
JSU remains in the Bluegrass State tomorrow traveling to Eastern Kentucky for a 6 p.m. match. Live stats will be available through JSUGamecockSports.com.