PORTSMOUTH. Ohio – Life University (17-12, 5-8 MSC) suffered a heartbreaking loss in five sets (9-25, 25-23, 25-16, 25-27, 14-16) to Shawnee State (8-23, 2-11 MSC) on Friday in the penultimate match of the regular season.
 
Four Running Eagles logged double-digit kills on the night. Junior Chelsea Hill paced the squad with a season-high 18 kills, with 3 digs and a block. Junior Zykeria Allen and sophomore Jamese Scott both posted 14 kills. Allen added six digs and a block, while Scott added two digs and two blocks. Junior Liz Mann contributed a double-double of 13 kills and 14 digs, as well as three aces.
 
Life U stumbled out the gate as Shawnee State opened on a 9-3 run. The Running Eagles never quite recovered in the set and the Bears took the frame 25-9.
 
Life U found their footing in the second set and never trailed in the frame. They held a 10-5 lead early and extended it to 20-14 at its height. SSU didn't back down though and battled to cut the lead to 24-23, but Life U took the set on the next point, 25-23.
 
The Running Eagles regained their momentum as the opened the third set on a 7-2 run. They would run the score up to 16-8, and eventually took the set 25-16.
 
The fourth set was the closest set, throughout, of the entire match and saw six lead changes and 10 ties. Neither team was able to gain a sizable lead. With the score tied 24-24, Shawnee State went on a 3-1 run to win the set 27-25.
 
In the fifth and final set, Life U took the lead early and needed just two more points claim the win at 13-9. However, the Bears mounted an incredible 7-1 run to take the set and the match with a 16-14 decision.
 
The Running Eagles are back in action tomorrow, Nov. 5 as they travel to Pikeville, Ky. to face off against Pikeville in the regular season finale.