University of Missouri
Colorado
Mizzou Finishes First Half With Big Win
10/22/2008 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Oct. 22, 2008
COLUMBIA, Mo. - The Missouri volleyball team (10-10, 4-6 Big 12) swept past the Colorado Buffaloes (10-9, 4-6 Big 12), 25-18, 25-23, 25-17, Wednesday night in the Hearnes Center. With the win, the Tigers go from ninth to sixth in the Big 12 standings to end the first half of play. Mizzou overcame a 20-16 deficit in the second set to garner momentum and a crucial match win.
Coach Wayne Kreklow knew the third set would be crucial, "One of the things we talked about is coming out with a strong game three. That was our challenge for the night. We did a pretty good job of that. I think it was much better than game two, where we made ten or 11 unforced errors. Colorado had to make the plays in game three, and we were not giving it to them."
Julianna Klein (Keota, Iowa) and Catie Wilson (Omaha, Neb.) led the Tigers with nine kills apiece while Weiwen Wang (Nanjing, China) was part of six of Mizzou's 12.5 blocks.
Lei Wang (Shanghai, China) led in hitting percentage with a .455 strike, scoring five kills on 11 errorless attempts while also adding 34 assists and nine digs.
Sophomore Caitlyn Vann (Muncie, Ind.) tallied 16 digs on the evening, adding an ace. The Tiger defense held the Buffs to a .073 team hitting percentage and allowed zero service aces.
Amber Sutherland led the Buffs with 13 kills. Schyler Edelman accounted for seven of CU's 10 blocks.
The Buffs and the Tigers began the match trading points until Missouri finally broke free at the 9-11 mark. From there the Tigers went on an 11-1 run until Colorado was finally able to the Tigers. Catie Wilson had three kills during the run and was providing the team with solid serving including the only ace of the set. The damage had already been done as Mizzou held a 21-13 lead. Colorado was not completely done and scored five points but it was not enough. Missouri easily wrapped up the match with a kill by Weiwen Wang, making the score 25-18.
Priscilla Armendariz (Blue Springs, Mo.) who had 11 digs through all three sets said, "At first, I think we all felt a little rocky. The first game we came out back and forth, but then we picked it up and we felt a good continuous vibe between all of us."
Colorado looked to have a better plan opening with two points until the Tigers got on the board. The Buffs scored two more opening the match 1-4. Mizzou continued to struggle behind Colorado until they called a timeout trailing 6-11. The Tigers looked to have a little bit of a spark pulling within 2 at 11-13. Missouri fell behind but got close at 14-16 and forced Colorado to take a timeout. Mizzou got within one at 16-17 but let the set slip out of their hands as the Buffs made it 16-20. Once again Missouri was not done and tied the set up at 22 and took their first lead at 23-22. W Wang scored the critical point to take the set to 24-23 and Klein scored the last kill. The Tigers won 25-23.
Missouri and Colorado opened with both teams trading points. The Tigers were able to capitalize on Buff errors to help them stay on top. The Tigers had a huge ace from Klein to pull ahead for good. Hantouli and C Wilson played big parts in the Tigers closing out the Buffs 25-17.
The Tigers will face the Iowa State Cyclones in Ames on Saturday. Missouri beat the Cyclones 3-2 when they faced off at the Hearnes Center.
WEDNESDAY IN THE BIG 12
Baylor def. Kansas, 25-17, 25-18, 27-25
Iowa State def. Kansas State, 20-25, 25-14, 13-25, 25-21, 15-8
Nebraska def. Texas A&M, 25-16, 25-18, 25-13
Texas Tech lost to Texas, 15-25, 19-25, 16-25
Oklahoma, idle
Home team listed first
CURRENT BIG 12 STANDINGS (end of first half)
1) Nebraska, 10-0
2) Texas, 9-1
3) Kansas State, 7-3
4) Baylor, 6-4
5) Iowa State, 5-5
6) Colorado, 4-6
6) Missouri, 4-6
6) Texas A&M, 4-6
9) Oklahoma, 4-7
10) Kansas, 3-7
11) Texas Tech, 0-11
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