University of Missouri
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Kansas
Tigers KO KU
11/18/2000 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Nov. 18, 2000
Lawrence, Kan. - The University of Missouri volleyball team recorded its 23rd win of the season on Saturday night with their three-game sweep of Kansas, 15-9, 15-12, 15-8. The 23 wins are the most by a Tiger team since 1983 when that squad won 26 matches. Mizzou swept the 2000 season series from the Jayhawks for the first time since 1997.
Mizzou used solid serving (seven service aces), good passing (59 digs) and excellent blocking (13 total blocks) to pick up the win head coach Susan Kreklow said. "It was important for us to play well tonight on the road," Kreklow said. "Any time MU and KU face off, you know its going to be a battle and tonight was no exception."
In game one, the Mizzou fell behind early in the game, 6-1. However, the normally slow starting Tigers clawed their way back into the game going on a 14-3 run and taking the game, 15-9. Junior Naaron Branson and freshman Ashlee Johns were outstanding putting down - and - kills a piece.
Mizzou came out on fire in game two grabbing a 6-1 lead of their own. However, the Jayhawks charged back tying the game at 6-6. Mizzou once again went on a run scoring six straight points served by sophomore Christi Myers giving Mizzou a 14-6 lead. Once again, the pesky Jayhawks fought back with a 5-0 run, but sophomore Lisa Morris ended the game at 15-12.
The third game was once again dominated by the Tigers as they hit .342 compared to KU's .182. Mizzou jumped out to an 8-3 lead and would not look back taking the game and the match 15-8. Senior setter Heather Gerber led the Tigers to a .318 hitting percentage and handed out 51 assists.
Four Tigers reached double figures in kills and four recorded double-doubles on the night. Junior Naaron Branon led the way putting down 15 kills and picking up 10 digs while recording a .538 hitting percentage, her third consecutive match where she has hit over .500. Verizon District 7 All-Academic team member Lisa Morris collected her ninth double-double of the season hammering down 13 kills and digging up 15 digs.
Freshman Ashlee Johns continued her solid play with 13 kills. Probably Johns most impressive stat of the night, however, was the career-high four solo blocks and five total blocks. Sophomore Christi Myers and junior Krista Johnson also joined the block party stuffing three and six Jayhawk attacks respectively. Myers also put down 10 kills and had a hitting efficiency of .500.
The Tigers improve to 23-5 on the year and 13-5 in the Big 12 Conference. Mizzou welcomes the Sooners of Oklahoma on Wednesday at 7 p.m. to the Hearnes Center for the final home match of the season. Seniors Annette Luyten, Heather Gerber, Jen Gerlach, and Jana VerBrugge will play their final match in the friendly confines for the Tigers. For ticket information, call 1-800-CAT-PAWS.
