Morehead State sophomore outside hitter Courtney Smith recorded a career-high 20 kills Tuesday night, but the host Eastern Kentucky volleyball team upended Morehead State 3-2 (20-25, 25-18, 25-21, 19-25, 15-11) at McBrayer Arena.
The setback halted MSU's nation-leading 36-match conference regular-season winning streak dating back to 2011. The Eagles, who have already clinched their fourth consecutive OVC title, dipped to 14-1 in the conference and 23-7 overall. EKU, which also halted a 15-match losing streak to Morehead State, improved to 17-12 and 9-6 in the league.
Morehead State rallied from a 2-1 deficit by hitting .242 with 14 kills in the fourth frame. The teams were tied at nine in the fifth set, but the Colonels capitalized on four MSU attack mistakes to end the match on a 6-2 run.
Smith added 12 digs for her 10th double-double this year. Senior outside hitter Aryn Bohannon contributed 15 kills and 15 digs, while junior setter Colbey Cameron also produced a double-double (45 assists, 13 digs). Senior libero Leslie Schellhaas notched a match-best 27 digs, while senior defensive specialist Lindsey Roth came up with 12 digs.
Eastern Kentucky saw Alexis Plagens and Ashley Edmond share team honors with 15 kills apiece, Edmond also had 15 digs, and Dena Ott led her team with 23 digs.
Morehead State had a 57-51 advantage in kills but committed 39 attack errors for a .107 efficiency. The Eagle defense, which leads the conference in opponent hitting percentage, held EKU to .143.
The Eagles fell behind 15-13 in the opening set, but Smith ignited a 7-1 run with four winners. MSU never relinquished the lead in the frame.
The Colonels grabbed an early 4-3 lead in the second frame and never trailed again themselves. MSU trimmed its deficit to 17-16, but EKU finished off the set on an 8-2 run.
Eastern Kentucky jumped on top 8-2 in the third set and never trailed. The Eagles had the set at 20-18, but a trio of attack errors led to EKU outscoring them 5-3 to end with a triumph.
The Eagles broke a 4-4 tie in the fourth with a 10-3 scoring flurry. Roth served up two aces in the run. EKU rallied for a 15-all tie, but an 8-1 MSU run gave it the momentum to hold on.
Morehead State will host its Senior Day for the final regular season match on Saturday. Austin Peay provides the opposition at 5 p.m. ET.