Despite a competitive first set, Missouri volleyball struggled to keep it close with the Tennessee Lady Vols. Tennessee increased its level of play as the game went on, resulting in a sweep over the Tigers. 

Missouri went point-for-point with the Lady Vols to start the first set. Sophomore libero Maya Sands recorded two aces and an acrobatic dive to save and eventually record an assist, putting them up 16-12. This 4-0 run gave the Tigers momentum, but the energy quickly halted. 

Missouri and the Lady Vols traded points until the very end of the set. Ultimately it was Tennessee senior outside hitter Jenaisya Moore who scored two unanswered points which secured a first set victory for the Lady Vols 24-26.

The Tigers started to feel the presence of Lady Vol senior right side Morgahn Fingall early in the second set. She scored three of the Lady Vols first six points. Missouri sophomore outside hitter Janet deMarrais continued her hot streak from the first set, recording her sixth kill early in the second set. Fingall also continued her dominance, setting the score at 8-14 after another electric kill. 

Missouri head coach Dawn Sullivan made the decision to substitute in junior setter Sarah White and senior right side Naomi Franco, in an effort to bring energy to the court. Soon after they were subbed in, deMarrais scored twice in a row and Franco scored, making the score 11-17. This capped off a 3-0 run and a resurgence of energy. This run forced a Tennessee timeout. Tennessee didn’t come out hot, while the Tigers scored three times in a row, thanks to Tennessee errors.

Moore brought the Lady Vols back to life, as they would eventually capture the second set 19-25. Tennessee started quick in the third set, jumping to a 2-7 lead. After multiple Missouri errors and two blocks from sophomore middle blocker Emily Beeker, the Lady Vols took a 4-14 lead. With hope dwindling for the Tigers, Gedikoglu scored twice, showing signs of life for Missouri. That didn’t last long however, as Moore ran away with the final set herself, leading Tennessee to a 11-25 final set win and sweep.

By the end of the game, deMarrais recorded 10 kills and had a .154 hitting percentage for the Tigers against Tennessee, showing herself to be the standout for Missouri during the game. 

Missouri will face South Carolina next in its SEC home opener on Sept. 24 and will go onto play LSU and Texas A&M in the following week.

Edited by Chase Gemes | cgemes@themaneater.com

Copy Edited by | ssewell@themaneater.com