Missouri volleyball players Janet deMarrais and Colleen Finney celebrate after winning a point against South Carolina on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, at the Hearnes Center in Columbia, Mo. Prior to playing for Missouri, Finney totaled 408 kills with 142 total blocks and 93 digs over three seasons at Clemson.
The Tigers are scorching through SEC play with nine straight wins
Missouri volleyball improved to 18-5 after defeating the South Carolina Gamecocks in a 3-0 sweep to extend its winning streak to nine matches.
The first set was a battle, as the Gamecocks were ready to play and kept it close throughout. No team had a lead higher than four points in the initial set. However, with Missouri only up by one with the set point, right side Jordan Iliff stepped up and clinched the first set win for the Tigers, 25-23.
Middle blocker Colleen Finney had a spectacular first set with four kills, three blocks and a .667 hitting percentage.
“I thought our team played really clean to start, besides our service errors, but we minimized our errors, which is something we were working really hard on all week,” head coach Dawn Sullivan said.
The Tigers continued their momentum into the second set with an 8-1 run early to give them a comfortable lead. After that run, the Tigers had a lead of at least six for the rest of the set. A 5-0 run capped off by an ace from Kiaraliz Perez Catala made the set a 25-13 win for Missouri.
Looking for a sweep, the Tigers posted an early 6-0 run headlined by three straight blocks from Finney in the third set. Much like the second set, Missouri never looked back after an early lead. A kill by setter Marina Crownover won the third set 25-18, sealing the match for Missouri.
Missouri setter Marina Crownover puts her hands in the air as she celebrateswinning a point on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, at the Hearnes Center in Columbia, Mo.Missouri won the first set by just two points, but went on to sweep the Gamecocks,winning the next two sets by twelve points and seven points, respectively.
The Tigers hit .351 in the match and Finney finished with seven total blocks for the Tigers.
“I feel like that was huge, especially on Friday night, like we love our fans being able to come out and support us, and just knowing that we get the win fast and efficient and knowing that we can lock in on what we have to do is just incredible,” Finney said.
Missouri continues its homestand against the Florida Gators on Friday, Nov. 15 at 7 p.m with a chance to improve their winning streak to double-digits.
From left, Missouri volleyball players Kaylen Rush, Mychael Vernon andMarina Crownover dive for the ball during their matchup against South Carolina onSunday, Nov. 10, 2024, at the Hearnes Center in Columbia, Mo. Despite the effort by allthree players trying to save the ball, they still lost the point.
Edited by Michael Stamps | mstamps@themaneater.com
Copy edited by Emma Short | eshort@themaneater.com
Edited by Emily Skidmore | eskidmore@themaneater.com