University of Missouri
Baylor
Tigers Win Five-Game Thriller Over Baylor
9/23/2000 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Sept. 23, 2000
Columbia, Mo. - The University of Missouri Volleyball team defeated the Baylor Bears in a five-game, two hour marathon Saturday night, 15-6, 10-15, 15-7, 6-15, (17-15). In front of 776 Tiger faithful, MU played it's most exciting match of the season as the Tigers improve to 12-1 on the year while the Bears dropped to 7-5.
The Tigers came out on fire in the first game taking a 6-0 lead and never looked back taking the game 15-6. The Bears bit back jumping out to a 9-1 lead of their own in the second game. MU made it interesting but BU grabbed the game 15-10. After splitting the next two games, the Tigers lead by as many as three points in the rally-scoring fifth set and ended up taking a thrilling 17-15 game and match victory. Service aces played a huge roll in the match as the Tigers recorded seven on the night, including three in the third game.
The Tigers used their signature balanced attack of sophomore outside hitter Lisa Morris, who had a career and season team-high 21 kills, and junior outside hitter Kristen Johnson, who put down 17 kills while also adding three blocks. The Bear's Stevie Nicholas had a huge match putting down an outstanding game-high 34 kills on 77 attempts while Tatiana Kenon pitched in with 17.
MU used amazingly solid blocking to grab the win putting down 20.5 total team blocks. Sophomore Christi Myers had a great night collecting her second double-double of the season with a career-high 12 blocks, including five block solos along with 13 kills. The five block solos also ties a Big 12 all-time mark. The Bears hit .231 on the night, while the Tigers hit .271.
Senior setter Heather Gerber had a solid outing handing out 60 assists on the night along with three kills. Her MU career assist record now stands at 4,112. Senior Annette Luyten continued to add to her career block assist numbers as well with two and now has 221 career block assists, fourth on the MU all-time list. Luyten also led the Tigers in digs picking up 11 on the night.
The Tigers improve to 12-1 on the year and 3-1 in Big 12 conference play under the new tutelage of Susan and Wayne Kreklow. The 3-1 conference mark for the Tigers is the best conference opening mark since the inception of the Big 12 in 1996. MU travels to Lubbock, Texas on Wed., Sept. 27 to take on the red-hot 13-1 Texas Tech Red Raiders, who picked up a win today over Texas. The Tigers then return home on Sat., Sept. 30 to host No. 22 Kansas State at 7:00 p.m. in the Hearnes Center. For ticket information call 1-800-CAT-PAWS.
