With a 3-1 win against No. 24 Auburn at home, Missouri shot up to No. 4 in the SEC.
Missouri volleyball knocked off the No. 24 ranked Auburn Tigers at home in four sets, going undefeated against them for the season. The Tigers jumped up to No. 29 in Rating Percentage Index rankings.
Five Tigers scored double-digit kills, sharing the wealth in order to secure a victory. Junior right side Jordan Iliff led the group with 18 kills, while outside hitter Janet deMarrais followed up with 15 kills.
Sophomore deMarrais had three of the team’s first seven points, getting MU out to a quick start in the first set. Multiple Missouri points in the first set came from Auburn errors, putting MU up 11-7. Junior middle Morgan Isenberg went on a two-point scoring stretch shortly after to continue the momentum.
A Colleen Finney kill from a Dilara Gedikoglu assist put the Tigers up 21-15, and there was no coming back for Auburn after that. Missouri took the first set 25-19. It continued that momentum, going up 8-4 early in the next set. deMarrais stayed hot with two kills, as well as an ace, to put the Tigers up 16-10. Auburn battled back though, closing the lead to just three points at 23-20.
Iliff took matters into her own hands, closing out the second set with two kills, resulting in a 25-23 win. The third set was hard-fought and close throughout. The lead changed seven times throughout the set and the lead was never bigger than four.
Auburn was finally the team to pull away, going on a four-point run to take a 18-22 lead. deMarrais responded immediately, tying the score at 23 a piece. However, Auburn finished off the set winning 23-25.
Missouri came out and dominated the fourth set. A combination of kills from Iliff, Isenberg and Finney got Missouri out in front 7-3. Iliff then went on to record three aces in a row, making her presence felt. After that, the Tigers went up by seven, and there was no coming back. Missouri beat Auburn out in the final set with a score of 25-12, capturing the victory.
The Tigers continue to rise in SEC standings, now up to fourth place overall. The Tigers are on a four-game winning streak and will look to continue the momentum at home against Florida on Nov. 17. Missouri will have a two game road stretch after that to close out the season.
Edited by Chase Gemes | cgemes@themaneater.com
Copy edited by Sterling Sewell | ssewell@themaneater.com