Nov. 8, 2001
Boulder, Colo.-The University of Missouri volleyball team fell to 18-8 and 8-8 in the Big 12 on Wednesday night dropping a 3-0 (30-27, 30-24, 30-26) match to No. 21 Colorado in Boulder. Colorado improves to 17-7 on the year and 12-4 in the Big 12 conference. The Tigers were also without kills leader Lisa Morris on Wednesday night and her absence was apparent as Mizzou could muster .093 hitting percentage and fell victim to quality CU blocking as the Buffaloes would stuff 12.0 total team blocks. Morris is currently under observation for a shoulder injury she suffered on Saturday night. Head coach Susan Kreklow said that the Tigers gave a good effort but fell victim to occasional suspect decisions.
"We played with intensity and energy tonight but could not come up with the big play when we needed to," Kreklow said. "We have some key matches coming up and we need to continue focus down the stretch. Texas is a big match for us this weekend and we need to regroup."
Mizzou would run out to a 6-3 lead on the strong serving of senior Rachael Taylor. However, CU would battle back and the two squads would find themselves tied at 21. The Tigers would once again take a lead in the game at 25-23 after a Krista Johnson kill, one of four she would record in the game. However, the strong blocking of CU would be too much for Mizzou as the Buffaloes would record three of their six block assists in the game during what would prove to be a game-ending 7-2 run for CU, giving them a 30-27 game win.
Game 2 continued to be a tough stanza for Mizzou as CU would run out to a huge 16-6 lead to begin the game. Mizzou would pull as close as six at 24-18, but the margin would hold up as the Buffaloes would take the game, 30-24. Mizzou managed only a .036 hitting percentage putting down only 12 kills while recording 10 errors on 55 swings. Colorado's blocking also continued to be a tough obstacle for the Tigers as they recorded four block assists in the game win. The Tigers are now 15-11 this season in Game 2.
Mizzou would storm out like a totally different squad from in Game 3, taking a lead as big as seven at 14-7. The Tigers would maintain that lead and were able to hold a lead at 22-17. However, from that point on the Buffaloes would use great efforts on long rallies to go on a 13-4 run to end the game and take the match, 3-0. Sophomore Ashlee Johns did put four thunderous kills to pace the Tigers in the game.
Senior outside hitter Naaron Branson was a bright spot for the Tigers as she put down 11 kills and 15 digs while also recording a .304 hitting percentage. Junior Christi Myers also had a solid outing putting down seven kills and picking up nine digs while also stuffing two block assists.
Mizzou welcomes Texas to the Hearnes Center on Saturday as they continue their quest for an NCAA Tournament bid. The match is set for 7 pm and fans can call 1 800 CAT PAWS or 884-PAWS in Columbia.