Junior Christi Myers had 18 kills, 15 digs and 11 total blocks in the five game loss to the AggiesJunior Christi Myers had 18 kills, 15 digs and 11 total blocks in the five game loss to the Aggies
Volleyball

Tigers Lose Five-Game Heartbreaker to No. 16 Texas A&M

Sept. 22, 2001

Columbia, Mo.--The University of Missouri volleyball team dropped its first match of the season falling to Texas A&M, 3-2 on Saturday night. The Tigers fall to 8-1 overall and 1-1 in the Big 12 Conference while the Aggies improve to 8-1 and 1-0 in the conference.

The Aggies jumped out to quick 6-3 lead in Game 1 and would hold the Tigers off just long enough to take a 30-28 game win. The Tigers would storm back, however and take the next two games, 30-27 and 30-23. Game 4 was a dead heat at 16-16. However, the Aggies would use a 14-7 run to shut down the Tigers and limit Mizzou to a .136 hitting percentage and take the game, 30-23. Game 5 was an absolute dog-fight as both team traded points to 12-12. The Aggies would grab the momentum on a crazy string of events and take the game, 15-13 and the match, 3-2. Head coach Susan Kreklow said the match was a great test for the Tigers.

"Overall we played very well and with a lot of intensity," Kreklow said. "We lost to a very quality team and gave them a great fight which says a lot for our kids and their desire to win."

Both teams were excellent defensively. Mizzou recorded 16.5 total blocks to A&M's 15 stuffs. A&M carried the edge in digs 91-80 with all six of their starters reaching double figures in the catergory. The Tigers limited the Aggies to a .189 hitting percentage, but recorded just a .212 percentage for the match. A&M was led by Melissa Munch, who put down 20 kills and recorded a .385 hitting percentage.

Junior middle blocker Christi Myers had a brilliant match for Mizzou putting down 18 kills and picking up 15 digs in only the second home loss the Tigers have experienced in the past two seasons. Myers and fellow middle blocker Krista Johnson also dominated the net recording 11 and 6 total blocks respectively in the two hour and thirty minute affair.

Sophomore Mary Lauren Smith also had the best match of her career putting down thirteen kills and also recording 7 block assists. Seniors Katie Sowers and Rachael Taylor continued to shine in the back row picking up 17 and 15 digs respectively while junior Lisa Morris led the way with three service aces.

The Tigers host Southeast Missouri State on Monday night in the Hearnes Center with first serve set for 7 p.m. The Tigers then travel to Manhattan, Kansas on Wednesday for a mid-week matchup with the Wildcats of Kansas State. For ticket information, call 1-800-CAT PAWS or 884-PAWS in Columbia.