ST. CHARLES, MO --- The Prairie Stars (7-17) traveled to Lindenwood University (7-17) for the final non-conference match of the season and fell in three-sets (25-12, 25-20, 25-23) to the Lions. Illinois Springfield totaled just 28 kills across the three sets, led by freshman middle Alli Splitt who had nine on the match.

The Lions jumped out early in the first set to a 10-1 lead to take control of the opening set. UIS cut the deficit to 17-11 but couldn't get it closer than that, falling in the first 25-12.

Down 8-4 in the second set, UIS rallied to take a 9-8 lead to take their first lead of the match. A kill from Kendall Ward closed the five-point rally for the Prairie Stars. The Lions came back to take a 17-14 lead but a block from Splitt and Tiffany Sunderlin preceded a kill and ace from Splitt to tie the match at 17-17. Lindenwood took the next three points but UIS cut the deficit to 22-20 before the Lions closed the set with the final three points to take the second.

The third set was one of runs as Lindenwood jumped to a 9-4 lead before UIS rallied for four straight points to cut the deficit to just one. Down 20-15, Illinois Springfield rallied for six of the next seven points to trail just 22-21 and then a kill from Splitt brought UIS within one at 24-23 but Lindenwood closed the match on a kill to take the match 3-0.

Splitt ended the match with nine kills and two errors on just 17 swings while Ward picked up five kills against just one error on the match.

UIS closes the regular season with a 7-6 non-conference record going 2-2 in the Capital Classic and 3-1 in the Southwest Baptist Invitational. They then went 1-2 at the Mizuno Midwest Regional Crossover before besting Greenville at home and then concluding with a loss to Lindenwood on the road.

The Prairie Stars will return to GLVC play with a home series this weekend, taking on UMSL on Friday at 7 pm before hosting Maryville at 3 pm on Saturday.

The home game on Friday against UMSL will serve as the annual Pink Game to raise awareness for Breast Cancer.