In their second SEC match of the season, Missouri (9-4) lost a tight match to Texas A&M Aggies (10-2) in a 3-2 thriller (25-17, 25-20, 23-25, 21-25, 12-15).

The Aggies started off on fire in the first set as they began the match on a 7-1 run. The Tigers then went on a 10-0 run that consisted of seven service aces by Jordan Iliff. Missouri continued to hold strong until they clinched the 25-17 win.

The Tigers continued the momentum with a 7-2 run to open the second set. The Aggies battled back and made the score a single point difference at 18-17 late in the set. Missouri fought back  with a 7-3 run, as Mychael Vernon got her 10th kill and the Tigers won the set 25-20. 

Searching for a sweep, the Tigers battled throughout the third set with the Aggies. It stayed close until Missouri went on a 4-0 run in response to the Aggies 3-0 run to give themselves a 17-12 lead. Late in the set the Tigers were up 22-17, but the Aggies went on a 9-1 run to secure the 25-23 win and avoid the sweep.

The Aggies finished strong at the end of the fourth set, winning it 25-21 due to a kill by Brooke Jeffrey. The Tigers struggled in the fourth set with self-inflicted mistakes, committing eight errors. These errors were an issue all night, as Missouri lost the battle 26-19.

In the winner-take-all fifth set, the Aggies momentum continued as they began on a 7-3 run. Missouri responded with a run of their own, tying the set at 11. Texas A&M finished the job for a 15-12 win in the set along with a 3-2 win in the match.

Mychael Vernon led the Tigers with 26 kills and Marina Crownover performed well with a .500 hitting percentage along with 53 assists as the primary setter.

The Tigers look to bounce back next Sunday, Oct. 6 as they play the No. 12 Kentucky Wildcats. 

Edited by Dylan Heinrich | dheinrich@themaneater.com

Copy edited by Hannah Taylor | htaylor@themaneater.com

Edited by Emily Skidmore | eskidmore@themaneater.com