In another SEC matchup, Missouri volleyball played the Florida Gators Saturday night and lost after three sets. Although the second and third sets were both close, the Tigers failed to hold onto the lead in either one.
In the first set, the Gators jumped to an early lead and never looked back. The Tigers committed eight errors and hit -.154 percent.
Florida redshirt senior outside hitter T’ara Ceasar and redshirt senior middle blocker Lauren Forte each finished with four kills. Missouri freshman middle blocker Kayla Burbage and graduate outside hitter Brynn Carlson combined to block a Gator attack and allow the Tigers to draw closer. In the end they could not catch up, losing the first set 10-25.
Junior outside hitter Anna Dixon finished with 6 kills during the second set, contributing to the Tigers 12 total kills.
Early in the game, Dixon received a serve from Florida and passed the ball to freshman setter Addison Lyon, who passed the ball back to Dixon for a kill, extending Missouri’s lead 8-6. Missouri fought hard to maintain its 23-20 lead, but Florida eventually outplayed the Tigers and won the set 23-25.
With an early 8-2 lead in the third set, Missouri hoped it was on its way to a potential fourth set. However, after building the early lead, it fell behind. Senior outside hitter Thayer Hall helped the Gators mount their comeback and take a 11-14 lead, with 5 of Florida’s 16 kills.
Missouri freshman right side hitter Jordan Iliff’s 4 kills and 1 solo block helped the Tigers stay within striking distance. After 3 hard-fought sets, the Gators came ahead in the end to win the set 22-25.
The Tigers return to the Hearnes Center next weekend for a two-game series against Mississippi State.
Edited by Kyle Pinnell | kpinnell@themaneater.com