University of Missouri
Kansas State
Mizzou Sweep No. 24 Kansas State
9/30/2000 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Sept. 30, 2000
Columbia, Mo. - In front of the largest crowd of the season (793), the University of Missouri volleyball squad picked up a much-needed upset win on Saturday over No. 24 Kansas State 15-9, 15-13, and 17-15. The Tigers improve to 13-2 on the year and 4-2 in the Big 12 Conference while the Wildcats drop to 9-4 overall and 3-2 in conference play. The Tiger win is the first over Kansas State since 1993 and also evens the all-time series at 26 matches apiece.
In a match that featured somewhat sloppy play at times (28 total service errors between the two squads) the Tigers used outstanding blocking (20 total team blocks) and timely hitting to claim the win. Mizzou recorded a .242 hitting percentage while holding Kansas State to just .174.
Junior Naaron Branson definitely had her best match of the season recording her first double-double. She registered 10 kills, 10 digs, hit .375, and joined team mate and sophomore Christi Myers in the Big 12 record books. Branson recorded five block solos, which ties a Big 12 single-match record that is held by four other players including Myers, who joined that club just last weekend in a five-game win over Baylor.
Branson finished the match with a team-high eight total blocks while junior Krista Johnson and Myers each slated six. Myers was solid tonight collecting 13 kills in the win. The unsung hero continues to be Kristen Johnson, who put down a team-high 14 kills while also putting back three blocks.
Senior Heather Gerber continued her outstanding play handing out 53 assists, which now puts her career MU assist record at 4,238. Senior Annette Luyten seemed to be all over the court and was a defensive force for the Tigers collecting a team-high 12 digs.
The win moves the Tigers to 13-2 overall and 4-2 in the Big 12 Conference. Mizzou is now a remarkable 7-0 in the friendly confines of the Hearnes Center and 6-2 on the road. MU returns to Texas for the second time in as many weeks on Wed., Sept. 30 as they take on Texas, who lost to Houston on Saturday. The Tigers then take a week off before hosting rival Kansas with game time set for 7:00 p.m. at the Hearnes Center. For ticket information, call 1-800-CAT-PAWS.
