No. 25 Missouri volleyball dropped to 18-6 after taking on No. 21 Florida in a high-stakes battle between two Southeastern Conference foes. After five sets, Florida took the win, ending the Tigers’ winning streak.

The first set was close from the beginning of the match, but an early 5-0 run for the Tigers was crucial. The run gave the team the momentum they needed as they won the first set 25-15 by a kill from middle blocker Colleen Finney.

Missouri finished the initial set with a .536 hitting percentage while Florida only hit .069.

“We came out really strong, up and down just a little bit, but I think I was really proud of just the way they battled,” head coach Dawn Sullivan said.

Florida responded well in the second set as they began the set on a 5-1 run. However, Missouri then tied the set at twelve, keeping it close until Florida went on a late-3-1 run to win set two 25-21 and tie the match up at one set a piece.

The third set was close from the very beginning, as neither team had a lead of more than three. It was a set full of runs, as a 5-0 run for the Gators retook them the lead and a 4-0 run for the Tigers with three straight kills from Finney gave the lead back to the Tigers. Later on, Florida went on a 7-1 run to retake the lead from the Tigers. That is all Florida needed, as they won set three 27-25. 

Even though it ended in a loss for Missouri in set three, they went on a 4-0 run to extend the set.

Missouri, with the match on the line, was able to withstand a solid lead. However, a 5-1 run for Florida tied up the set. In a sprint to the finish at the end of the set, a kill by outside hitter Janet deMarrais clinched a 25-22 win in set four.

In the winner-take-all fifth set, Florida was on fire, beginning the set on a 9-1 run. This was too overpowering for Missouri, as the dynamic Kennedy Martin’s 32nd kill of the night clinched a 3-2 win in the match for the Gators. 

6,379 fans attended the match, the fourth most attendees in Missouri volleyball history. 

“I think it was incredible here tonight, over 6000 people, and they were rocking this place,” Sullivan said.

Vernon led the Tigers in kills with 17, and Marina Crownover had 47 assists in the match.

Missouri looks to bounce back as they travel to Ole Miss on Friday, Nov. 22 to face the Rebels.

Edited by Michael Stamps | mstamps@themaneater.com

Copyedited by Natalie Kientzy | nkientzy@themaneater.com

Edited by Emily Skidmore | eskidmore@themaneater.com