Missouri volleyball’s season is beginning to gain momentum, as a dominant 3-0 win over Alabama on Sunday improved the Tigers’ record to 10-7 overall and 3-1 in the Southeastern Conference.
“We got contributions today from a lot of people,” head coach Wayne Kreklow said in a press release. “We’re making progress and getting better overall, little by little.”
Mizzou was firing on all cylinders in the first set, registering a single-set high 14 kills on .636 hitting. The Tigers won the first set 25-17 and kept the momentum going in the second, as an ace from redshirt senior Kira Larson and an ensuing Alabama hitting error put Mizzou ahead 19-9, its biggest lead of the match. The Tigers eventually won the set 25-15.
The Crimson Tide looked like they would win the third set after two consecutive kills gave them a 21-17 lead, but the Tigers stole the set with a 10-4 run capped off by an ace from freshman Leketor Member-Meneh to win the set 27-25 and take the match.
Missouri’s balanced offense once again stole the show, as six players registered multiple kills and four hit at least .300. Redshirt senior Melanie Crow led the team with 11 kills, while senior setter Courtney Eckenrode once again paced the Tigers with 25 assists. The defense also stepped up, limiting Alabama to 26 kills on .022 hitting. The Tigers’ 12 blocks on Sunday marked their seventh consecutive game with double-digit blocks.
Although facing weaker competition, Mizzou looked much better against Alabama than it did during its home-opening loss to Kentucky on Sept. 20. Mizzou was able to get multiple hitters involved on offense while keeping the same high level of danger and efficiency across the board. The defense also played more cohesively and seemed mentally prepared.
“I think, especially in the first two sets, it showed us more of what we can do as a team and the identity that we are trying to create,” Crow said in an interview with Mizzou Network.
The Tigers return home after a three-game road trip Sunday, Oct. 8, to play the Ole Miss Rebels, who defeated the Crimson Tide 3-1 last weekend. The first serve is scheduled for noon CT in Hearnes Center.
_Edited by Eli Lederman | elederman@themaneater.com_