Missouri vs Drake

On Friday of the Bluejay Invitational, the Tigers took care of business against the Drake Bulldogs, winning 3-0. The first set ran a tight battle between the teams with kills from middle Regan Haith and rally stopper from middle Colleen Finney. The Tigers won 25-16.

The Tigers swiftly took over the second set with an 8-3 lead, thanks to a 5-0 ace streak from outside hitter Janet deMarrais. They quickly increased their lead to 19-8 with more kills from Haith and right side Jordan Iliff. The set concluded with a score of 25-14.
In the third set, the Tigers and Bulldogs were neck and neck with the Tigers behind 8-7. Missouri was able to come back with a 5-0 streak and a pair of aces from setter Sarah White. Drake responded with the same rally streak bringing the score up to 16-16, followed by a streak of ties. In a nail-biting conclusion, outside hitter Mychael Vernon wrapped up the game with back-to-back kills making the final score 28-26.

Missouri vs Creighton

Despite success from the day before, on Saturday the Tigers fell to the Creighton Bluejays 3-0. The Tigers tried their strongest to hold their own, but the Bluejays were able to get around them. 

The first set opened with a quick back and forth, with the Bluejays setting the score at 9-6. The Tigers climbed back up with six points in a seven point stretch cutting the score to 17-16. With a pair of kills from Haith and an ace from deMarrais, the score was set 21-20. However, the Bluejays responded with a 4-0 streak ending the match 25-21.

Missouri started the second set with a strong lead of 8-6, with two kills from Vernon and Iliff. The Bluejays rallied, taking back the lead at 11-8. Iliff got in three kills resulting in the Tigers taking back the lead 16-14. 

TheBluejays broke the lead scoring 3-0 bringing the score to 24-21. The final score would result in the Bluejays favor 25-23.
Creighton got an early lead in the third set when the score of 7-2 grew to 12-4. The Tigers seemed to accept defeat before taking advantage of the Bluejays making a critical error. However, the Bluejays were able to hold their lead securing the game 25-18.

Missouri vs NC State

Missouri beat the NC State Wolfpack with ease on Sunday afternoon to finish off the Bluejay Invitational with a final score of 3-0. Their season record is now 2-1 and five of their starters have achieved at least seven kills each.

In the first set, the Wolfpack earned the first three points. Missouri came back with three straight of their own with blocks from Finney and deMarrias. The Tigers held the Wolfpack back and won the set 25-20.

Finney started the second set with four kills back-to-back, giving the Tigers a 10-5 lead. DeMarrais slammed a kill improving the Tigers lead to 20-11. Vernon spiking a kill with setter Sierra Dudley serving an ace, making the final score 25-15.

The third set marked tension as the score was quickly tied at 7-7, but the Tigers quickly came back, running the score up to 13-8. DeMarrais went on a 5-0 run, boosting the lead to 18-10 in favor of the Tigers. 

The Wolfpack pushed back, tying the score 22-22. Haith and Illif made kills earning the Tigers the third set 25-23. 

Vernon and Iliff shined on the long weekend, with Iliff earning 35 kills with 27 digs and three blocks. Vernon, an Oregon State transfer, posted 12 kills and 12 digs earning her second double-double in the Black & Gold. She is now on an eight-match double-digit kill streak. 

Libero Maya Sands secured 17 digs and three assists, earning her 1,000 career digs. Finishing off the tournament, Iliff and Sands were added to the Bluejay Invitational All-Tournament Team.  

Despite their success, the Tigers still have errors that need to be fixed on the court. Their weak defense nearly cost them the third set in the NC match. Their failures in high-pressure moments might signal a weakness in future games.

“We got to keep some things up on our side,” said Head Coach Dawn Sullivan. “Just know who we are and not get ahead of ourselves, staying composed, and [playing] one play after another.”  

Following the invitational, the Tigers continue their 2024 season with a second road tournament at the Northern Kentucky Invitational from Sept. 6-8 in Highland Heights, Kentucky.

Edited by Michael Stamps | mstamps@themaneater.com

Copyedited by Hannah Taylor | htaylor@themaneater.com

Edited by Emily Skidmore | eskidmore@themaneater.com