CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – The Jacksonville State volleyball team dropped its first conference match of Ohio Valley play Saturday afternoon at Southeast Missouri's Houck Field House.
 
In its first trip to SEMO since 2015, JSU came away empty-handed from a Redhawk squad that hit .356 overall during the match, including a .500 clip in the opening set. The Gamecocks (14-6, 1-1 OVC) were swept for just the second time all season, going back to the season-opening defeat to Towson, one of just five Div.  I programs who remain unbeaten this season.
 
JSU never got in a rhythm falling behind 5-0 to begin the afternoon. The Redhawks failed to commit a hitting error in the opening stanza on their way a 25-14 set victory. In the second, JSU managed to break away from a 7-7 deadlock en route to a 14-10 advantage, but SEMO responded with a 6-0 run to reclaim the lead midway through the frame. The Gamecocks fought back to even the score at 21, before a couple of errors handed SEMO a commanding two sets to none match lead.
 
In the final frame, JSU again rallied from an early deficit, this time down 9-4 to take a 12-11 lead and force SEMO to use a timeout. Unfortunately for the visitors, the lead would be surrendered at 14-13 as SEMO went on to secure the straight-sets win.  
 
Senior Allyson Zuhlke finished with 17 kills as the lone Gamecock in double figures. Mackenzie Rombach hit .444 with nine kills and pitched in a block from the middle. As the Gamecocks altered their lineup looking for answers, nine players recorded at least one dig led by setter Jennifer Hart with 11. Hannah Kirk tallied six digs, just ahead of Ashley Clingan and Rachel Perucki with five apiece. Kim Krutsinger and Zuhlke each had three blocks to lead the team.
 
JSU's next match will be on Friday, Sept. 29 as the Gamecock continue OVC road action at Morehead State. From there, JSU will visit Eastern Kentucky on Saturday before opening the home portion of their conference schedule against Tennessee State on Oct. 6.