University of Missouri
Southeast Missouri
Southeast Missouri Takes Missouri Volleyball Tiger Invitational
9/11/1999 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Sept. 11, 1999
COLUMBIA, Mo. - The Tiger Invitational wrapped up Saturday with Missouri falling to intrastate rival Southeast Missouri in the final match (2-15, 14-16, 7-15). The Tigers fought hard but were unable to overcome their negative hitting percentage in the first game. They ended up hitting .106 to SEMO's .327.
"We are struggling at the outside hitter position," Missouri head coach Disa Johnson said. "I definitely learned a lot about our team tonight. We know where we are at and what we have to work on."
Missouri was able to overcome a 14-9 deficit in the second game behind serving from sophomore Katie Sowers. She brought the Tigers out of the cellar, tying the game at four. From then on it was neck-and-neck between MU and SEMO until the final two points of the game.
Others stepping up for the Tigers were junior Annette Luyten and sophomore Naaron Branson. Luyten led the team in hitting with a .364 clip. She also had nine digs and two blocks in the final match. Branson stepped up into a leadership role and tried to carry Missouri on her back. She hit .250 and also had two blocks. And, once again, freshman Christi Myers was an integral part of Mizzou's offensive attack. She climbed her way back from a negative hitting percentage in the first game to .129 overall. Together with Branson, Myers was selected to the All-Tournament team.
"Christi Myers is going to be a great player for Mizzou," Johnson said. "She is able to step up and get the job done."
Earlier in the day, the Tigers took on East Carolina and beat them 3-0 (15-9, 15-8, 15-1). Branson led the charge for Missouri hitting .857 (6-of-7). Sophomore Rachael Taylor took on more of a role for the Tigers, hitting .500 (2-for-4) and added three aces, 13 assists and two block assists. All of those categories, minus aces, were new career highs for the St. Louis, Mo. native.
The Tigers have a full week ahead as they prepare for their final tournament of the season. Missouri will travel to Fayetteville, Ark., to participate in the Arkansas Invitational Sept. 17-18.
