Missouri volleyball (14-5, 5-2 SEC) took down Arkansas (14-5, 4-3 SEC) in Fayetteville after their four-game homestand. The Tigers lost the first set, but bounced back for a 3-1 win. Mychael Vernon set a program record with 37 kills in the match.

The Tigers started the first set strong with a 4-0 scoring run early to make the score 8-5. The Razorbacks answered later in the set with their own 4-0 run to take a 14-11 lead. Marina Crownover got back-to-back aces to help Missouri close the margin, but it was not enough as Arkansas took the first set 25-21.

The Razorbacks held the Tigers to a .178 hitting percentage. Vernon produced strong numbers in the set with seven kills and three digs. Missouri tallied seven errors to Arkansas’ two, which was a major factor in the close battle. 

The tandem of Crownover and Vernon combined to spark a 7-0 scoring run to take an 11-3 lead in the second set. A Jordan Iliff ace secured the Tigers second set win 25-18 to even the match. 

Vernon continued with 14 kills in the set on a .526 hitting percentage. Missouri’s liberos were all over the floor with Maya Sands getting 17 digs and Kiaraliz Perez Catala with 14 through two sets.

Missouri got off to another 11-3 start in the third set, forcing an early Arkansas timeout. Vernon set her career high in kills just halfway through three sets with 27 kills. Colleen Finney put the finishing touches on the third set with a kill, pushing by the Razorbacks 25-20 for the 2-1.

Missouri’s 68 digs, 50 assists and seven aces all had the edge on Arkansas. Iliff and Janet deMarrais got more involved in the third with six and seven kills respectively.

Missouri continued their strong play by taking the match in the third set in a 25-15 final. Vernon set a program record with 37 kills while also setting a season-high with 17 digs. Crownover also had a memorable day, setting career-highs in assists with 60 and four aces. She also recorded a double-double with 11 digs. 

This win marked the Tigers’ fifth straight win and their first win against the Razorbacks since 2020. Missouri traveled to Oklahoma for their next match on Sunday, Oct. 27 and won 3-2.

Edited by Dylan Heinrich | dheinrich@themaneater.com

Copyedited by Hannah Taylor | htaylor@themaneater.com

Edited by Annie Goodykoontz | agoodykoontz@themaneater.com