University of Missouri
Oklahoma
Home Sweet Hearnes
11/22/2000 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Nov. 22, 2000
Columbia, Mo. - The University of Missouri volleyball team played its final home match of the season Wednesday, sweeping the Oklahoma Sooners, 15-1, 15-9, 15-10 in 1,091 fans in attendance. Missouri has now had six home matches with 1,000-or-more fans in stands this season.
The Tigers finish the season a sparkling 13-1 in the friendly confines of the Hearnes Center. The lone loss was to Big 12 Champion and #1 Nebraska Oct. 25. Mizzou improves to 24-5 on the year and 14-5 in the Big 12 Conference while the Sooners fall to 7-20 and 2-17 in the Big 12.
Prior to the match, the Tigers honored seniors Annette Luyten, Jana VerBrugge, Heather Gerbers, and Jen Gerlach for their years of devotion to the Missouri volleyball program. After an emotional tribute, Gerber handed out 33 assists, leading Mizzou to a .365 hitting percentage.
The Tigers hit .733 in the first game, putting down 11 kills in 15 attacks. MU's Rachel Taylor recorded 11 service points during the game-opening 12-0 run.
Missouri had a 6-0 run to open game two and stretched its advantage to a 12-3 margin before an OU comeback cut the lead to 14-9. The final game saw MU erupt from a 5-3 lead to take a 12-7 advantage. Oklahoma scored seven of the game's next nine points, making it 14-10, before dropping the game.
Lisa Morris led Mizzou with 15 kills as she hit .467 (15-1-30) on the night. Freshman Ashlee Johns added 14 kills (14-4-25, .400) while Naaron Branson added 10 kills (10-1-17, .529). In addition to her match-high four service aces, Taylor had a match-high 10 digs.
Mizzou now sits in third place in the Big 12. The Tigers travel to Colorado on Sunday to wrap up the regular season. The Tigers will be informed of their postseason fate on Sunday.
***Attention to All Media*** There will be a NCAA Volleyball Tournament selection show viewing party Sunday in the Student Athlete Lounge of the Taylor Brookfield building at 7 p.m. Media are invited to come and are encouraged to show up around 6:45 to set up. For more information, contact Sam Fleury at 573-884-2437 or 573-999-2449.
