The Missouri Tigers cruised past James Madison and Florida Golf Coast in three sets each on Aug. 29 and 30. They were led in part by senior outside hitter Caylen Alexander’s 31 kills.

The 2024 Big West player of the year and University of Hawaii transfer was on her A-game all weekend, leading the team in kills in both contests. Alexander set the tone early against FGCU, opening the match with a kill. She continued her stellar performance with 7 kills in the first set, which the Tigers won 25-21.

Alexander was not the only Tiger to get in on the action. Redshirt senior Tyrah Ariail recorded 16 kills of her own, and recorded a huge block in the first set that gave momentum back to the Tigers when they were down 12-10 to FGCU. The Tigers outscored FGCU 15-7 for the rest of the set.

The strong veteran play continued with senior libero Maya Sands. Sands is the reigning Southeastern Conference Libero of the Year and was also named to the 2025 preseason All-SEC Team. The senior standout dug numerous FGCU kill attempts, and lead the team with 27 digs on the weekend.

Not far behind Sands was freshman libero Zoey Matias-Lopez, who had 18 digs, and an ace against FGCU. 

The Tigers made quick work of the James Madison Dukes. Led again by Caylen Alexander, the Tigers swept the Dukes in three sets. Alexander led the team with 14 kills and a block.

Three games into head coach Dawn Sullivan’s third season with the program, the Tigers are ranked No. 17 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) preseason Top 25 poll. With Sullivan, the Tigers recorded back-to-back NCAA tournament appearances including a Sweet 16 finish in 2024. Mizzou will look to build on its previous success as SEC play kicks off in late September.

The Tigers will play back-to-back games against Arkansas State on Sept. 4 and 5, followed by the home opener against Stanford on Tuesday, Sept. 9.

Edited by Killian Wright | [email protected]

Copy edited by Ava Mohror | [email protected] 

Edited by Alex Gribb | [email protected]