Missouri fell to Tennessee on Oct. 26, struggling to close out the match against a top-25 opponent
There were not many treats for Missouri volleyball on “Volloween” night, falling 3-1 to No. 12 Tennessee. This was the second meeting between the two teams, the first also ending in defeat.
Sophomore outside hitter Janet deMarrais continued her hot streak with three early kills to start the first set. Junior right side Jordan Iliff also contributed early with three kills of her own. Though the Tigers could not grab a lead over the visiting Volunteers, the lead was never larger than five points. When the Vols did go up by five, deMarrais, Iliff and the help of some Tennessee errors rallied the Tigers back into the set. Tennessee right side Morgahn Fingall closed the set out for the Vols, winning 23-25.
The lead went back and forth to start the second set, headlined by Colleen Finney’s two points. The Tigers then went on a five point scoring run, aided by three Tennessee attack errors and an ace from Sophomore libero Maya Sands. The lead was even extended to 22-12 at one point, with Iliff and outside hitter Dilara Gedikoglu contributing. Tennessee bounced back, but deMarrais and the Tigers closed out the set, winning 25-16.
The Volunteers flipped the script on the Tigers, coming out blazing hot on a 9-1 run. An ace from freshman setter Sierra Dudley sparked some momentum for the Tigers, and junior middle blocker Morgan Isenberg also joined in with two kills. Missouri never got a grasp on the set, and Tennessee’s Finghall and Erykah Lovett propelled the Vols to a 25-16 victory.
The fourth set was the same story, as the Vols got out to a quick 10-6 lead. Iliff got the Tigers within one point, but Tennessee middle blocker Raeven Chase sparked a six point run, putting them up 9-15. The deficit was too big for the Tigers, despite efforts towards a comeback from Isenberg and deMarrais. Tennessee eventually went on to win the final set 19-25, leading them to victory.
Missouri falls to 13-8 on the season and 5-5 in SEC play. The Tigers travel to Oxford, Mississippi to battle against Ole Miss on Nov. 5. The Tigers will then follow that up with a five game home stretch.
Edited by Chase Gemes | cgemes@themaneater.com
Copy Edited by Sterling Sewell | ssewell@themaneater.com
Edited by Sophie Rentschler | srentschler@themaneater.com