University of Missouri
Nebraska
No 23 Missouri Battles But Falls to No. 5 Nebraska
10/9/2002 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Oct. 9, 2002
LINCOLN, Neb. - The No. 23 ranked Missouri volleyball team had the tough task of taking on the No. 5 ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers with a depleted lineup on Wednesday in Lincoln, Neb. Mizzou battled hard, but NU proved to be too much for Missouri, as the Cornhuskers took the 3-0 win.
Despite being without four of its players, including three starters, Missouri battled the Cornhuskers throughout the match. The lead switched hands several times in the early goings of game one, with MU building a 12-9 lead. The teams were tied at 18, before Nebraska finished on a 12-7 run to take the opening game 30-25.
In game two, Mizzou again jumped out to an early advantage, leading 5-3 and forcing the Huskers to use a timeout. Nebraska rebounded and went on to take a 2-0 lead in the match by winning game two 30-20.
The Tigers once a gain kept it close in game three, but Nebraska came away with the 30-22 win and the 3-0 match victory.
Three Tigers originally from the state of Nebraska made return visits on Wednesday night. Lindsey Hunter (Papillion, Neb.) had 28 assists for the Tigers, Sara Parks (Papillion, Neb.) led MU in digs with 13 and Jenny Duitsman (Lincoln , Neb.) had a team high .583 hitting percentage.
Mizzou was without four key players on Wednesday night due to injuries. Seniors Christi Myers (shins), Lisa Morris (abdomen) and Katherine Wingert (appendix) and junior Mary Lauren Smith (illness) were unable to play against Nebraska. Due to the injuries, the MU starting lineup consisted of a freshman and three redshirt freshman.
The loss is the second consecutive for MU after winning 12 straight. Missouri is now 14-3 overall and 4-2 in the Big 12 Conference. Nebraska (14-1, 6-0) continues to hold the lead in the Big 12 Conference standings. The Tigers will return home on Saturday to face Oklahoma at 7 p.m. at the Hearnes Center.
