University of Missouri
Baylor
Volleyball Falls in Five at Baylor
11/24/2001 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Nov. 24, 2001
WACO, Texas - The University of Missouri volleyball team dropped its second straight match in five hard-fought games in Waco, Texas on Saturday night, 2-3 (23-30, 23-30, 31-29, 30-22, 11-15). Sophomore Mary Lauren Smith put down 20 kills while junior Christi Myers pitched in with 19 kills and 11 digs, but it wasn't quite enough as the Tigers saw their gallant come-back attempt thwarted by the Bears. Head coach Susan Kreklow said the loss was a direct of the Tigers slow start.
"When you loose the first two games to any team, especially a quality team like Baylor, the energy you expend to get back into the match can drain you," Kreklow said. "Our kids gave great effort and it was good for us to be able to use different line-ups, but we need to display the same intensity throughout the entire match."
The Tigers would jump out to an early 8-6 lead on a block solo by freshman Jenny Duitsman, who started the first match of her career tonight. However, BU then went on a 24-15 run to end the game at 30-23. Duitsman paced the Tigers offensively putting down three kills in the game. The Tigers could manage only 13 kills in the game while outside Baylor outside hitter would put down seven kills herself, as the Bears would dominate Game 1.
Mizzou would lead only once in Game 2 at 1-0, but from that point on, it was all Baylor. The Bears would run out to a 17-11 advantage only to see Mizzou claw back to within two at 18-16. However, the Bears were able to hold the Tiger attack in check going on a 12-7 run the rest of the way taking the game, 30-23. Junior Christi Myers paced the Tigers with three terminations and recorded a.333 hitting percentage.
The Tigers looked much more like the squad that had won 20 matches this season recording a.395 hitting percentage in Game 3. The game would be tied for the 15th time at 26-26. Baylor would then go on a 3-0 run and was on the cusp of taking the game and the match at 29-26. However, Smith would step to the service line and serve the Tigers to four straight points, as the Tigers would rally to take the game, 31-29. The two squads would battle to an 8-8 tie to open Game 4. Smith and Duitsman would then take the game over putting down seven and three kills respectively and would lead the Tigers to a 30-23 Game 4 win. Baylor would take a 10-8 lead to open Game 5 and would not look back taking the game, 15-11.
Senior Naaron Branson had yet another historic night as she recorded 12 digs on the night, making her the all-time digs leader at Mizzou with 1,151 career pick-ups. Duitsman also had a career-night putting down 9 kills
The Tigers end the regular season with a 20-10 mark and a 10-10 mark in the Big 12. Their post-season fate will be determined on Monday at 2 pm when the NCAA announces the field of 64 for the NCAA Tournament. More details on the selection show will be released on Sunday.
