Missouri volleyball held their annual Black and Gold scrimmage Friday after hosting a youth clinic that brought together hundreds of future volleyball players to learn skills from their Mizzou role models.

After the clinic, the Tigers took the court against each other, with the black team sweeping all three sets and taking the game.

Coach Wayne Kreklow said this was the most balanced scrimmage he’s seen, and since each match was close in points, the competitiveness came out in every player.

“I thought (the black team) played really competitive, they played some great defense,” Kreklow said. “Overall I thought we competed really well and we did some great things.”

Friday night was the first time the 2016 Tigers played in front of a crowd. The usual players stood out – senior Carly Kan, junior Kira Larson and sophomore Alyssa Munlyn. Besides the normal stars, other players rose to the occasion and stood out on the court.

Here are three players to look out for this season:

**Kayla Caffey | Freshman**

Caffey stole the show during the scrimmage with 10 kills on .389 hitting. The outside hitter is new to the position, since she used to play as a middle blocker. The freshman seems to be adjusting to the position and the team well, and she has the potential to become an outstanding player for the Tigers.

“Kayla is going to one day be a really good player,” Kreklow said. “She really had a good night tonight. It’s nice to see from a young player like that just the athleticism and the ability to hit a heavy ball.”

Caffey has a powerful swing and can hit the ball very hard, which is what made it difficult for blockers to defend against her. Her opposing teammates figured out her pattern fairly quickly though, so Caffey will need to find new ways to place the ball for kills.

Overall, getting to play with her team in front of a crowd was good experience, and one that will help her grow as a player and as a teammate, and she will be a huge asset for the Tigers.

“It was great to get on the court and do what we’ve been practicing for weeks now,” Caffey said. “All the work that we’ve been putting in is finally coming to surface, and I just can’t wait to keep improving and getting better.”

**Paige Perego | Sophomore**

Caffey and Perego were substitutes for each other throughout the scrimmage, and Perego had just as solid a debut as Caffey. The Missouri State transfer posted eight kills, three digs and two blocks during her playing time.

Perego was consistent throughout each set, and if she can show that consistency throughout the season, there is no doubt she will be a huge asset to Missouri.

“Paige is one of those players that quietly does a pretty good job,” Kreklow said. “She doesn’t have a lot of ‘wow’ moments, but she’s a very consistent hitter and I thought she did a very good job on defense.”

Although she is new to the team, Perego fits in well. She can be a force at the net and on the attack. If she keeps up the stability on the court, she will most likely see playing time this season.

**Alexa Ethridge | Senior**

This will be Ethridge’s last season as a Tiger, and it could very well could be her best. After transferring from Nebraska her junior year, Ethridge led the Tigers as a libero with 492 digs, the seventh-highest single-season dig total in program history.

During the scrimmage, Ethridge led the team with 11 digs. She continually went for the ball with the determination that a good defensive player needs. Ethridge knows the court and her teammates very well, which makes her a supportive player and one who can round out the team.

Ethridge can be a steady senior leader on and off the court, working to push her teammates in the gym. The senior’s support and balance off the court will help defensive stability come game time. Ethridge will excel in this role, and she will be a crucial part of the team’s goals.

“We want to win the SEC,” Ethridge said. “It’s little things we need to work on to do this, just being in the gym every day. We’re so close and we want it so bad this year.”

_Edited by Peter Baugh | pbaugh@themaneater.com; and Alec Lewis | alewis@themaneater.com_