University of Missouri
Oklahoma
Tiger Volleyball Powers Past Sooners
9/29/2001 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Sept. 29, 2001
Columbia, Mo.-Sophomore Mary Lauren Smith pounded out a match-high 20 kills and Christi Myers recorded her first double-double (17 kills, 12 digs) of the season as the University of Missouri moved past the University of Oklahoma, 3-1 on Saturday night. Mizzou improves to 10-2 overall and 2-2 in the Big 12 while the Sooners slip to 2-11 overall and 1-2 in the Big 12.
In front of 1,416 Tiger faithful (the third largest crowd in Mizzou volleyball history) the Tigers ran out to a 15-5 lead in Game 1 and would not look back, taking the game, 30-18. Mizzou held OU to just a -.057 hitting percentage and recorded seven total blocks in the game. OU would fight back though and take Game 2, 30-22. Inconsistent passing once again plagued the Tigers as they managed only a .111 hitting percentage with ten attack errors leading to the OU win.
The two squads battled to a 19-19 tie before Mizzou would go on 11-7 run and take Game 3, 30-26. Mizzou came out in Game 4 on fire recording a .390 hitting percentage and finishing off the Sooners, 30-20. Head coach Susan Kreklow was pleased with the way the Tigers overcame the adversity they faced in Game 2 and believes the Tigers are improving as the season progresses.
"We played very well at times in Games 3 and 4 tonight," Kreklow said. "Oklahoma came out firing in Game 2 and really tested us, but we kept our composure and focused on our passing and it yielded positive results."
Senior Naaron Branson was excellent on defense for Mizzou picking up a match-high 18 digs and paced four Tigers who reached double figures in digs. Mizzou was also excellent from the service line recording a season-high 11 team service aces including four service aces from sophomore setter Chrissy Elder, who also handed out 56 assists on the evening.
The Tigers continue their busy schedule less than 48 hours from now as they travel to Lawrence, Kansas on Monday night to take on the Jayhawks of Kansas, who moved to 11-2 overall and 2-2 in the Big 12 with a four game win over Colorado. Mizzou will then make the trip to No. 1 Nebraska on Wednesday before returning to the Hearnes Center for a weekend match up with Baylor. For ticket information on Saturdays match, call 1-800-CAT PAWS or 884-PAWS in Columbia
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