MARSHALL, Mo. – Kansas Wesleyan Men's Volleyball competed well against another ranked opponent on Friday night. The Coyotes fell to No. 12 ranked Missouri Valley 25-20, 25-18, 25-21 in another close match in Heart of America Conference action.
 
The first set was tied 3-3 when Valley went on a 7-1 run to take a 10-4 lead in the set. The Coyotes got back into it at 13-11 and were within two points at 22-20 when the Vikings closed the set with a 3-1 run.
 
The Coyotes led 6-3 to start the second set, but the Vikings came back and tied things up at 11 all. MVC took control with an 8-0 run, but the Coyotes got back within a 20-17 score before the Vikings would close out the set winning 25-18.
 
KWU again took an early lead in the third set, but Valley came back to tie it at 14. The Vikings then scored seven straight points to lead 21-14. The Coyotes got close again, but MVC closed it out winning 25-21.
 
The Coyotes got seven kills by Zayin Martinez to lead the way. Ethan Ricketts had 20 assists. Jeremy Lapeze, Ricketts and Justin Burras had six digs each. Ryan Wagner had six blocks in the match, including four solos.
 
KWU is back in action on Saturday heading to Canton, Mo. to take on Culver-Stockton. The Coyotes are then back at home next week, hosting William Penn on Tuesday, Central Christian on Friday and Graceland on Saturday.