Missouri State senior volleyball player Lily Johnson addresses the crowd after playing her last regular season match at Hammons Student Center. Wyatt Wheeler/News-Leader
After falling two straight years in the Missouri Valley Conference Championship match, the Missouri State Bears are finally tournament champions.
The No. 25 Missouri State volleyball team (28-5) capped off its undefeated MVC season in 2017 after sweeping Northern Iowa 25-15, 25-23, 25-22 in the MVC Championship.
Missouri State established themselves early in the first set by jumping out to an 11-3 lead. The Panthers wouldn't come within seven as the Bears were able to take a 1-0 lead.