University of Missouri
Kansas State
Tigers Swept By Kansas State
11/21/2001 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Nov. 21, 2001
Columbia, Mo.- Junior Christi Myers put down a team-high 11 kills and senior Naaron Branson recorded a match-high 21 digs, but it wasn't enough as the University of Missouri volleyball team was swept by the Kansas State Wildcats on Wednesday night, 26-30, 23-30, 19-30). The loss drops the Tigers to 20-9 on the year and 10-9 in the Big 12 while Kansas State improves to 19-7 and 15-5 in the Big 12. Missouri head coach Susan Kreklow said the loss was disappointing and that the Tigers need to establish their own tempo in matches from here on out.
"This was a tough loss to a very tough Kansas State team," Kreklow said. "We had several chances to take this match over and we were unable to capitalize on those opportunities. Kansas State made fewer mistakes than we did and made runs when it counted."
In Game 1, Kansas State would jump out to a 9-5 advantage. However, the Tigers would go on a 9-6 run and the two squads found themselves tied at 15. KSU and MU would eventually battle to a 24-24 deadlock. The Wildcats then went on a 6-2 run to win, 30-26. Both squads played very sloppy. Mizzou managed only a .055 hitting percentage but Kansas State wasn't much better, slating a .091 mark.
The Tigers would lead Game 2 by as many as three, 7-4, and would be tied with Kansas State, 20-20. The Wildcats dominated the rest of the way, posting a 10-3 run to win the game, 30-23. The Tigers continued to struggle hitting (.138) while KSU hit a sizzling .432.
Mizzou looked as if it had finally awoken from its slumber and opened Game 3 with a 5-2 lead. The Wildcats would reel the Tigers in and erase any Tiger hopes of a comeback in the match with a 28-14 run and took the game, 30-19, and the match, 3-0.
The Wildcats dominated the stats page putting down 53 kills to Missouri's 39 terminations. KSU was also much more efficient recording a .257 hitting percentage to MU's .083.
Branson's 21-dig effort was one dig off of her career-high mark she recorded against Texas (10/13/2001). She now needs just 11 digs to become MU's all-time digs leader. She will have an opportunity to reach that career milestone Saturday as the Tigers close the regular season against Baylor in Waco, Texas. The Tigers are in search of their second-straight appearance in the NCAA tournament and will find out their postseason fate Monday when the NCAA hands out invitations to the Big Dance.
The Tigers recognized the six senior members on the squad before the match and also recognized coach Susan Kreklow, who slated her 500th career win against Texas Tech (11/14). The senior Tigers have recorded the best winning percentage and most wins of any class since 1983 when Missouri joined the Big 8.
