EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – The Jacksonville State volleyball team came up short in its attempt to snap SIU Edwardsville's home winning streak, falling in four sets Friday night at the Vadalabene Center.
 
Junior Mackenzie Rombach hit .409 with 10 kills on 22 swings to lead the Gamecock attack. Senior Allyson Zuhlke added 14 kills, while Kaylee Frear pitched in nine, but each struggled with a couple of errors.
 
The Gamecock defense was uncharacteristically slowed down with just two blocks facing one of the top offenses in the league. The back row held its own for the most part as a trio of Gamecocks collected 10-or-more digs led by freshman Madison Cooler's 14. Seniors Hannah Kirk and Jennifer Hart finished with 11 and 10, respectively. For Hart, it ran the Davidson, N.C., product's career total to 1,004, making her the 12th member of JSU's 1,000-Dig Club.
 
The opening set looked promising early as the Gamecocks led most of the way leading up to an 18-13 lead which forced a timeout from the Cougars. JSU took a timeout of its own with a 22-18 lead as SIUE began a late surge that couldn't be stopped. The Cougars fought of set-point down 24-23 to even the score and take the first in extras, 26-24.
 
The home squad used the momentum earned at the end of the first to take the second, 25-20, leading the rest of the frame following a 5-5 tie. The third began to play out much like the first game as JSU raced out to a 14-5 lead, but the Cougars methodically began to chip away at the deficit. SIUE tied the match at 24 again, but this time JSU responded to sideout and hang on the the set, 27-25.
 
The Cougars left little room in the fourth for JSU to have any thoughts of another 0-2 comeback as they did against Tennessee State earlier in the season. SIUE quickly doubled the score at 14-7, before sealing the match with a 25-12 decision.
 
JSU will continue road play on Saturday night at Eastern Illinois, before returning home for four straight matches at Pete Mathews Coliseum. The EIU match will feature live stats and video stream available at JSUGamecockSports.com.