Missouri volleyball (13-5) took on Mississippi State (7-8) at home with hopes to improve their recent winning streak to four. The Tigers completed their mission, beating the Bulldogs 3-1.

The Tigers struggled to find their footing early on, as Mississippi State took a 15-10 lead at the TV timeout. Mychael Vernon turned the tide with three kills to propel the Tigers to a 6-0 run, giving them the lead.

Both teams battled for the rest of the set, but Missouri had no room for error with a 24-22 deficit and the set on the line. The Tigers once again dug themselves out with a 5-1 run late to win the set 27-25.

“Yeah, our team’s gritty as all get out,” head coach Dawn Sullivan said. “They’re relentless. They’re so intentional. [I’m] really impressed with how they continue to fight when their backs are against the wall.” 

Missouri continued its momentum with an early 7-0 lead to start the second set. The Tigers continued to roll with a 13-point lead multiple times in the set. A service error by Cayley Hanson won the second set 25-12 for the Tigers in dominant fashion.This was the largest margin of victory by either team across the match.

“We knew we needed to start that set well, and then once we start the sets we know we have the rest of it taken care of,” Missouri libero Maya Sands said.

Mississippi State responded well after a rough second set, starting the third on a 6-0 run. The Bulldogs controlled the pace the rest of the set, but the Tigers could once again not be denied as they tied the set at 24-24. The battle continued well over the limit before Mississippi State edged out the 31-29 win.

Missouri started the fourth set hot, led by a 7-2 run to give them a 10-6 lead. The Tigers continued to control the set before a kill by Vernon clinched a 25-18 fourth set win as well as a 3-1 win in the match.

Right side hitter Jordan Iliff and Vernon both led the offensive battle with more than 20  kills; Iliff finished with 23 kills while Vernon ended the match with 22. 

Setter Marina Crownover positioned the hitters for success with 55 assists. Sands tied her career high in digs with 30, bringing her to 87 across the four-game homestand. 

“It was unbelievable, [Sands] had balls where it was supposed to be mine, and she just went in, slid in and got it,” Crownover said.

This improves the Tigers’ win streak to four, with an overall record of 13-5 and 4-2 in SEC play. Missouri travels to Arkansas for a match at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 25 against the Razorbacks.

Edited by Dylan Heinrich | dheinrich@themaneater.com

Copy edited by Emma Short | eshort@themaneater.com

Edited by Annie Goodykoonz | agoodykoontz@themaneater.com