The Northern Kentucky Invitational proved to be a tough learning experience for Missouri volleyball, with the team only winning one of three matches. 

Multiple team struggles were put on display through the entirety of the weekend that aided in their defeats.

Efficiency

One of the Tigers’ biggest struggles of the tournament was their lack of hitting efficiency. Right side Jordan Illiff and outside hitter Janet DeMarrais’ hitting percentages declined, both hitting under .225. 

The South Dakota Coyotes had a strong defensive performance, holding the Tigers hitting percentage below .230 in all three sets. Middle blockers Colleen Finney and Regan Haith struggled in the final two matches as hitters constantly got around them. 

Against the Coyotes, the Tigers started off strong winning the first set, and seemed to be getting into a rhythm, but would fall apart soon after. Their inability to remain strong after timeouts would prove detrimental as they fell 3-1 to the Coyotes.

Despite No. 4 Louisville’s service errors in game two, Missouri could not hold onto a lead for long. The Tigers were unable to take advantage of opportunities from the Cardinals’ mistakes and failed to get around their much taller front row.

Efficiency proved to be one of the Tigers’ biggest weak points and their opponents certainly took advantage of it. 

Repeated errors

While multiple factors played into the Tigers’ losses, one of their biggest weaknesses was their repeated errors. 

Right from the beginning, the Tigers struggled with service errors. Against Northern Kentucky, they made five service errors just in the first set. This bled into the second set, which brought in eight more service errors. Iliff, Haith, outside hitter Mycheal Vernon and setter Sierra Dudley all had at least three errors from the service line. 

An attack error and reception error from the Tigers only added to the Norse’s advantage in the second set. While both teams were on the verge of a second set victory, these errors tipped the Norse over the edge, and Missouri won 34-32. 

Dudley seemed to have communication errors throughout the NKU match. While the Tigers still pulled a win , these errors followed them through the rest of the invitational – the other teams would not be so forgiving. 

Individual talent

The individual talent of the Tigers stood out, regardless of their performance as a team.

During the match against the Norse, Iliff notched a career-best 22 kills while hitting .381 with 11 digs – her second double-double of the season. She also earned season-bests of in-blocks and service aces, with three of both against South Dakota. Vernon continued her double-digit kill streak in the Invitational extending it to nine matches dating back to her senior season at Oregon State. Against South Dakota, she marked her second double-double of the Invitational and her fourth double-double as a Tiger with 15 kills and 13 digs.

Libero Alayna Pearson made her Tiger debut against Louisville. She made her mark with a pair of digs. Libero Kiaraliz Perez Catala notched herself  six digs against the Norse and earned her personal best seven digs in her fifth start against South Dakota.

Despite their losses this weekend, the Tigers show that the individual talent is there.

Missouri volleyball will host the Mizzou Invitational from Sept. 13-15 with four total matches. 

Edited by Michael Stamps | mstamps@themaneater.com

Copy edited by Chase Pray and Emma Short

Edited by Annie Goodykoontz | agoodykoontz@themaneater.com