Nov. 24, 2006
Missouri State advanced to tomorrow's final with a thrilling five-game match win over Wichita State. Game scores in favor of Missouri State were 29-31, 30-25, 27-30, 30-21, 15-11.
Wichita State needed an extra rally to grab a 31-29 game one win over Missouri State. The Shockers led by as many as five before the Bears evened the score at 25. The opening game would be tied four more times before a MSU hitting error on game point gave WSU a 1-0 lead.
Stephanie Tokarz hit .545 (6-0-11) and Abby Harsh recorded 16 assists.
Erin O'Connor hit .500 (7-0-14) in game two as Missouri State evened the match at a game apiece with a 30-25 decision. Katelyn Panzau notched 16 assists and contributed four kills on five attempts while leading the Bears to a .425 team hitting percentage.
A late surge in game three pushed the Shockers out in front two games to one. Missouri State held the lead from 6-5 until WSU grabbed a lead at 24-23 that it wouldn't relinquish. The 30-27 win was spurred on by Sara Lungren's .600 (6-0-10) hitting percentage and five digs.
The Bears would answer loudly in game four, toppling the Shockers 30-21 to force the third five-game match of the season between the two sides.
In game five, MSU jumped out early to an 11-4 lead and would hold off another Wichita State rally to win 15-11 and earn a birth in the finals.
Katelyn Panzau and Sara Thomas each had triple-doubles for Missouri State while Erin O'Connor picked up a double-double.
Sara Lungren had 17 kills and 23 digs for the Shockers
