POINT LOOKOUT, Mo. – The York University volleyball team lost a 3-0 decision to Mission Tuesday in the first round of the NCCAA Central Region Tournament.

The Panthers finish a solid season at 19-16, while Mission improves to 15-22.

Head coach Irick Gardner's team was led by Jai Dotson's eight-kill performance. Liberty Baker added six kills while Avery Schneider and Kaylee Weigel had five apiece. Kenna Tarnowski totaled four kills while Kensey Clifton added two. Mariah Janda and Emma Kerley were each credited with a kill. 

Clifton posted 21 assists while Janda notched four assists to go along with four aces. 

Tarnowski led the defense with three blocks. Baker, Clifton and Dotson had two blocks apiece. 

Amanda Macias had a team-best 10 digs while Cassie Ricahrdson posted nine.  

Trailing 8-6 in the opening set, Dotson slammed home a kill. Two plays later, Schneider added a point. A kill from Weigel, four aces by Janda, an error by the visitors and another point from Dotson gave York a commanding 15-9 advantage. However, MU embarked on a 7-0 spurt for a two-point edge. Down 21-19, the Patriots scored four of the next six points for a 25-22 victory.

After dropping the second set 25-15, York battled back in the third frame. Down 4-1, an error by Mission, an ace from Florencia Felmer, and kills from Weigel and Dotson helped the team to a 6-4 advantage.

Tied at 7-7, Macias served up an ace prior to Dotson finding the court off a pass from Clifton. The Patriots slowly gained momentum and maintained a 22-14 lead before Dotson slammed home a kill. Two plays later, Clifton started a rally with a kill. Weigel garnered an ace before an attack error by the Patriots and a kill from Liberty Baker pulled the team within four at 23-19. However, that was the last point the Panthers could muster in the hard-fought match.