Saturday, August 29
Wichita, KS
2:00 PM
Stephen F. Austin
1-2,0-0Southland
3
vs
2
Missouri State
1-1,0-0CUSA
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri St. | 24 | 25 | 20 | 25 | 12 | 2 |
| SFA | 26 | 23 | 25 | 18 | 15 | 3 |
Photo by: Amanda Paver
RECAP: Ladyjacks Finish off Bears in Five-Set Thriller
8/29/2026 6:32:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Three Ladyjacks record double-doubles including 16 kills and 17 digs from Avery Koonsen.
WICHITA, Kan.- Stephen F. Austin (1-2, 0-0 SLC) secured their first win of the 2026 season in a tense five-set battle, with a 3-2 win over Missouri State.
The first set began with an even exchange of points. Missouri State initially took the lead, but SFA quickly responded, with notable contributions from Avery Koonsen, who tallied three kills, part of her career-high 16 kills. SFA managed a slight advantage at 22-19 after a kill by Caroline Kahle and a critical block by Molly Cravens and Kennedy Jones. The Bears fought back to level the score at 24-24, but SFA secured the set win with a kill by Koonsen concluding the set at 26-24.
Missouri State narrowly edged SFA in the second set, clinching a 25-23 victory. The set was marked by a seesaw battle, with neither team holding more than a three-point lead. SFA's Caroline Kahle kept the home team competitive with key kills, while Avery Koonsen and Kennedy Jones added crucial points to tie the score at 22. However, a service error by SFA handed the opposing team the final point, sealing the set.
During the third set, the Bears initially took a narrow lead. SFA responded with a series of kills, including two pivotal strikes by Katherine Holtman, to tie the set at 14-14. Holtman continued to build momentum, with SFA taking a 16-14 edge. Avery Koonsen's kill and a service ace from Caroline Kahle extended SFA's lead. The set concluded with Holtman securing the final point, resulting in a 25-20 victory for SFA.
Missouri State started the fourth set with a strong 3-0 run. Stephen F. Austin responded with kills by Katherine Holtman and Kyanna Creecy, tying the score at 5-5. SFA briefly led 10-8 following a series of errors from the Bears, but they regained momentum with a pivotal 6-0 run to take a 16-14 lead. Missouri State extended its advantage further, ending the set 25-18.
In the decisive fifth set, SFA emerged victorious with a 15-12 win. Katherine Holtman initiated the scoring for SFA with a kill, while Avery Koonsen contributed multiple crucial points. Caroline Kahle played a pivotal role, scoring three consecutive points for SFA to establish a 6-4 lead. The Bears countered to level the score at 10-10. However, SFA regained control with Avery Koonsen's kill, followed by two attack errors from Missouri State, pushing the score to 14-11. Kyanna Creecy secured the final point with a kill, sealing the set and match for SFA.
SFA recorded 68 kills with a .242 hitting percentage, while both teams tallied 64 assists. Three Ladyjacks recorded double-doubles, Avery Koosen, Caroline Kahle and Madi Zorn.
PLAYERS OF THE MATCH
• Katherine Holtman - 18 kills (led team), 3 block assists
• Avery Koonsen- 16 kills, 17 digs (first career double-double)
• Caroline Kahle- 14 kills, 14 digs, 2 service aces
• Madi Zorn- 28 assists (led team), 14 digs
• Molly Cravens- 5 block assists (led team)
COACH DEBBIE HUMPHREYS
Coach Debbie Humphreys expressed satisfaction with the team's performance. "We cannot wait until we're a third of the way through a set before we start playing," Humphreys said. "We've got to be ready to go and high octane at the very beginning, and I was just super pleased with how we did that." The team maintained aggression throughout, leading to a successful outcome. "We finally hit where we want to be, around the mid 200s," she noted. Caroline Kahle and Katherine Holtman played pivotal roles in the decisive fifth set, staying aggressive in critical moments. "If we miss, we miss, but the fact that we stayed aggressive was key." Humphreys also highlighted the depth of the roster, as multiple players contributed significantly. "It took a village today for sure," she remarked.
NEXT UP
SFA will head back home to Nacogdoches to host the SFA Tournament next weekend that will feature Loyola Chicago and Cal-Berkley. The Ladyjacks will play Loyola Chicago on Thursday, September 3 at 6:00 p.m. before facing the Cal Bears on Saturday, September 5 at 12:00 p.m.
FOLLOW THE LADYJACKS
For all the latest information on SFA Volleyball, visit SFAjacks.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Ladyjacks on X, Instagram and Facebook
The first set began with an even exchange of points. Missouri State initially took the lead, but SFA quickly responded, with notable contributions from Avery Koonsen, who tallied three kills, part of her career-high 16 kills. SFA managed a slight advantage at 22-19 after a kill by Caroline Kahle and a critical block by Molly Cravens and Kennedy Jones. The Bears fought back to level the score at 24-24, but SFA secured the set win with a kill by Koonsen concluding the set at 26-24.
Missouri State narrowly edged SFA in the second set, clinching a 25-23 victory. The set was marked by a seesaw battle, with neither team holding more than a three-point lead. SFA's Caroline Kahle kept the home team competitive with key kills, while Avery Koonsen and Kennedy Jones added crucial points to tie the score at 22. However, a service error by SFA handed the opposing team the final point, sealing the set.
During the third set, the Bears initially took a narrow lead. SFA responded with a series of kills, including two pivotal strikes by Katherine Holtman, to tie the set at 14-14. Holtman continued to build momentum, with SFA taking a 16-14 edge. Avery Koonsen's kill and a service ace from Caroline Kahle extended SFA's lead. The set concluded with Holtman securing the final point, resulting in a 25-20 victory for SFA.
Missouri State started the fourth set with a strong 3-0 run. Stephen F. Austin responded with kills by Katherine Holtman and Kyanna Creecy, tying the score at 5-5. SFA briefly led 10-8 following a series of errors from the Bears, but they regained momentum with a pivotal 6-0 run to take a 16-14 lead. Missouri State extended its advantage further, ending the set 25-18.
In the decisive fifth set, SFA emerged victorious with a 15-12 win. Katherine Holtman initiated the scoring for SFA with a kill, while Avery Koonsen contributed multiple crucial points. Caroline Kahle played a pivotal role, scoring three consecutive points for SFA to establish a 6-4 lead. The Bears countered to level the score at 10-10. However, SFA regained control with Avery Koonsen's kill, followed by two attack errors from Missouri State, pushing the score to 14-11. Kyanna Creecy secured the final point with a kill, sealing the set and match for SFA.
SFA recorded 68 kills with a .242 hitting percentage, while both teams tallied 64 assists. Three Ladyjacks recorded double-doubles, Avery Koosen, Caroline Kahle and Madi Zorn.
PLAYERS OF THE MATCH
• Katherine Holtman - 18 kills (led team), 3 block assists
• Avery Koonsen- 16 kills, 17 digs (first career double-double)
• Caroline Kahle- 14 kills, 14 digs, 2 service aces
• Madi Zorn- 28 assists (led team), 14 digs
• Molly Cravens- 5 block assists (led team)
COACH DEBBIE HUMPHREYS
Coach Debbie Humphreys expressed satisfaction with the team's performance. "We cannot wait until we're a third of the way through a set before we start playing," Humphreys said. "We've got to be ready to go and high octane at the very beginning, and I was just super pleased with how we did that." The team maintained aggression throughout, leading to a successful outcome. "We finally hit where we want to be, around the mid 200s," she noted. Caroline Kahle and Katherine Holtman played pivotal roles in the decisive fifth set, staying aggressive in critical moments. "If we miss, we miss, but the fact that we stayed aggressive was key." Humphreys also highlighted the depth of the roster, as multiple players contributed significantly. "It took a village today for sure," she remarked.
NEXT UP
SFA will head back home to Nacogdoches to host the SFA Tournament next weekend that will feature Loyola Chicago and Cal-Berkley. The Ladyjacks will play Loyola Chicago on Thursday, September 3 at 6:00 p.m. before facing the Cal Bears on Saturday, September 5 at 12:00 p.m.
FOLLOW THE LADYJACKS
For all the latest information on SFA Volleyball, visit SFAjacks.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Ladyjacks on X, Instagram and Facebook
Players Mentioned
MB/RS
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
Pin
/ Women's Volleyball
Pin
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's VolleyballTeam Stats
MOST
SFA
Kills
66
68
Errors
27
21
Attempts
183
194
Hitting %
.213
.242
Points
81.0
78.0
Assists
64
64
Aces
8
3
Blocks
7
7
Game Leaders
Kills
18
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Kills
16
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
14
Aces
2
Blocks
0
Kills
8
Aces
0
Blocks
2
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