After finishing last season with a 5-26 record and 2-16 in the SEC, Missouri volleyball is seeking a better end to this season. With five new freshmen and a player returning from training on the U.S. Women’s Collegiate National Team, the Tigers should be set up well. However, with only three upperclassmen, there may be a lack of needed leadership and unity.
Freshman setter Riley Buckley comes from Raleigh, North Carolina after being named the 2021-22 Gatorade Player of the Year and receiving All-State honors all four years of high school. Buckley and sophomore setter Addison Lyon should tally a high number of assists for the Tigers, as both ended their high school careers with over 1,500.
Freshman outside hitter Janet Demarrais comes to the Tigers with over 1,200 kills throughout her high school career in Colleyville, Texas. Demarrais, senior outside hitter Anna Dixon and graduate outside hitter Brynn Carlson should make a great team that will only help Missouri.
Dixon competed with the U.S. Women’s Collegiate National Team in June alongside some of the best collegiate volleyball players in the country. There, Dixon and other players trained and watched the Women’s National Team training sessions while also being observed by the Women’s National Team staff. Head coach Joshua Taylor hopes the skills Dixon has learned will translate to the rest of the team.
Yet, the Tigers may be lacking leadership. After losing three seniors last year, Missouri is left with Dixon, Carlson and senior outside hitter Leandra Mangual-Duran. While Dixon served as team captain last season, the lack of seniority may not be enough.
Missouri volleyball will open the season with their annual Black & Gold Scrimmage, where team members play against one another in the Hearnes Center. The players will go head-to-head on Tuesday, Aug. 16 at 6 p.m. Following the scrimmage, Missouri will travel to Iowa State for anexhibition on Friday, Aug. 19 at 6 p.m.
The Tigers begin non-conference play following the Iowa State exhibition, traveling to Vermillion, South Dakota for the South Dakota Tournament from Friday, Aug. 26 to Sunday, Aug. 28. Missouri will then return back to the Hearnes Center to host the Mizzou Invitational Friday, Sept. 2 and Saturday, Sept. 3. After that, the team will travel to Kansas State to play a game against the Wildcats Wed., Sept. 6, and to round out non-conference play, Missouri will travel to Indianapolis to compete in the Bulldog Brawl Friday, Sept. 16 and Saturday, Sept. 17.
SEC conference play begins on Wednesday, Sept. 21, with the Tigers traveling to Knoxville to play the Tennessee Volunteers. Missouri’s first conference game in the Hearnes Center will be against Kentucky on Wednesday, Sept. 28.