University of Missouri
Utah State
No. 25 Tigers Fall to No. 21 Utah State
12/1/2000 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Dec. 1, 2000
Provo, Utah - The University of Missouri volleyball team fell in the first round of the NCAA tournament Friday to No. 21 Utah State, 5-15, 15-6, 3-15, 16-14, 15-9. The Tigers finish the year at 24-7 and 14-6 in the Big 12.
The Tigers came out on fire in game one jumping out to a 13-1 lead on the strong serving of junior Naaron Branson and nine kills from Lisa Morris. Mizzou put away the Aggies, 15-5. In game two, the Tigers got a taste of their own medicine as the Aggies hit. 344 and took the game 15-6. The third game was probably one of the best efforts by the Mizzou squad all season. The Tigers recorded a .500 hitting percentage and thoroughly dominated the Aggies taking the game 15-3.
In game four Mizzou fell behind early 8-4. However, the Tigers battled back and took a 14-11 lead with match point just a kill, blocks, or service ace away. However, the Aggies were able to fight off match point twice and take game in high-drama 16-14. The Tigers closed within one at 9-10 in game five, but USU had the momentum and capitalized on it winning the fifth and deciding game, 15-9.
Head coach Susan Kreklow said that momentum was the key in such an even played match. "We played well tonight," Kreklow said. "Utah State is a good team and when you face a team similar to yourself like we did tonight, momentum and seizing the moment are key. I am very proud of our kids and they have a lot to be proud of."
Leading the way for the Tigers was All-Big 12 first team member Lisa Morris who put down a game-high 19 kills. The balanced Tiger attack was never more evident as sophomore Christi Myers recorded an excellent match with 13 kills and 10 total blocks while freshman Ashlee Johns pitched in with 12 kills. Senior Heather Gerber handed out 57 assists and finishes her career with a 4, 955 assists, tops in MU history.
This concludes the Tigers historic turn around from a year ago when they were 10-21 and 4-16 in the Big 12. Mizzou finish the year with third most wins in a single season by a Tiger squad and recorded the best conference record in school history. Mizzou gained its first national ranking in 18 years this season and also advanced the the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history.
