Freshman sparks Maryville past Missouri S&T to extend winning streak

The third-longest winning streak in the nation remains intact thanks to a freshman pin-hitter.

Outside attacker Makai Scott led all players with a season-high 25 kills on a .391 attack percentage as Maryville defeated Missouri S&T 20-25, 26-24, 22-25, 25-22, 15-13 on Tuesday in Rolla, Missouri.

Maryville (16-3, 3-0 IVA) with this victory extended its program record winning streak to 12 matches. The third-year IVA program also continues to only trail No. 1/1 Grand Canyon and No. 3/3 Hawai’i for the longest active winning streak in NCAA Division I-II men’s volleyball.

Scott had a game-high five kills in the decisive game against Missouri S&T (8-9), including three kills during a 5-2 run to close out the match. In addition, the freshman had a kill midway through fifth game to end a 5-1 Miners run and help the Saints begin to rally from a two-point deficit.

Along with the performance in the final game, Scott led all players with seven kills in the fourth game to force a fifth game.

Scott was one of two Saints with double-digit kills against their fellow GLVC school. Middle attacker Jacob Fischer contributed 12 kills on a .348 attack percentage with two of those kills coming late in the fourth game to help secure the win.

Despite the loss, Missouri S&T out-hit Maryville .275 to .227 and had a .364 attack percentage in the fifth game – more than .100 percentage points better than the Saints.

Outside attacker Nate Meyer led Missouri State with 24 kills and hit .326. Aaron Sallade contributed 15 kills, while Zachary Carf had 13 kills against Maryville.

Maryville along with extending its winning streak completes the season series sweep against Missouri S&T. The Saints defeated the Miners in four games in February at the beginning of their winning streak.