The Missouri Tigers volleyball team beat the Kennesaw State Owls in their season opener.

Kennesaw State started the first set off strong, defeating Mizzou with a close score of 25-22. Hammering 15 kills and two blocks, the Tigers struggled defensively.

Missouri would fight back in the second set with eight kills and four aces, winning 25-15.

The Owls rebounded to take the third set with a score of 25-22, but Mizzou would not go down without a fight. The Tigers started to slowly climb their way back into the game with 15 kills and four big blocks. Unfortunately for the Tigers, the comeback attempt was not enough.

Mizzou would win the fourth set with the close score of 25-23. This would take the teams into a fifth and final tie breaking set.

Several long rallies later, Mizzou would shine with seven kills, an ace and four blocks to shut down the Owls. This gave the Tigers a 3-2 victory.

“No matter where you play, it’s always tough to win on the road and we came away with a big victory tonight,” coach Wayne Kreklow said in a news release.

The Tigers had leaders in several different categories that helped them claim the victory in their first game. Outside hitter Melanie Crow led the hitters with 16 kills in her debut for the Tigers.

Also on the front line, middle blocker Alyssa Munlyn had a total of seven blocks to help stop the Owls from scoring.

Setter Courtney Eckenrode would take the most assists with 28, and defensive specialist Alexa Ethridge would shine with 24 digs, helping the Tigers on defense in the last two sets.

The Tigers are back in action at 9 a.m. Saturday against Pittsburgh.

_Edited by Peter Baugh | pbaugh@themaneater.com_