University of Missouri
Baylor
Tigers Struggle in Four-Game Loss to Baylor
10/6/2001 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Oct. 6, 2001
Columbia, Mo.-The University of Missouri volleyball team had been 11-0 this season when winning Game 1 of a match prior to Saturday night. That streak ended against the Baylor Bears as the Tigers dropped a tough 3-1 match, 30-25, 21-30, 21-30, 27-30. Mizzou falls to 11-4 overall and 3-4 in the Big 12 while the Bears improve to 10-4 overall and 2-4 in the Big 12. The Tigers are in the midst of their first two-match losing streak since back-to-back loses in 2000 against Nebraska and Texas A&M.
The Tigers played very well and seemed to be in control during Game 1. Junior Lisa Morris had six over her team-high 19 kills in the game and the Tigers hit .282, which would be their best game-effort of the night. Mizzou also recorded seven of their 14 total team blocks in the game, which the Tigers won, 30-25.
The Tigers would not lead a game the rest of the evening as Baylor, who was led by senior Tatiana Kenon with 23 kills, would real off three straight game wins. The Bears out hit (.244), out dug (85-75) and out killed (78-55) Missouri in the match, which was played in front of the second largest crowd (1,823) in school history. Head coach Susan Kreklow said that the effort by the Tigers on Saturday evening was a true let down after the Tigers played so well at Nebraska on Wednesday.
"We were very disappointed with the effort and focus tonight," Kreklow said. "We play well at times and then struggle at times and the struggles are hard to overcome especially in rally scoring."
Mizzou experienced deficits of five points or larger several times over the course of Games 2 and 3 and could manage .083 and .043 hitting percentages in those two games.
Morris led the Tigers with 19 kills and 14 digs, her seventh double double of the season. Morris also tied a career-high with three solo blocks and five total blocks. Junior Christi Myers also recorded a double double, the second of the season for her while also stuffing seven total blocks (3 solo, 4 assists).
Mizzou will continue its three game home stand on Monday night as they welcome Iowa State to the Hearnes Center at 7:00 p.m. The Tigers will then welcome UMKC to Columbia on Wednesday for a mid-week, in-state match up. For ticket information, call 1-800 CAT PAWS or 884-PAWS in Columbia
