University of Missouri
Akron
Tigers Zip Through Akron
9/2/2001 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Sept. 2, 2001
Morgantown, WV.- Junior Lisa Morris and senior Naaron Branson each slated double-doubles on Sunday morning as the University of Missouri volleyball squad swept the Akron Zips, 3-0 in the Tigers third match of the Mountaineer Invitational in Morgantown, WV. Morris put down a season high 15 kills and picked up 11 digs while Branson exploded for 15 kills and a career-high 21 digs in the Tigers third win of the season. Head coach Susan Kreklow said that the Tigers played their most complete match of the tournament against the Zips.
"We were very balanced in our offense attack today and our ball control was much better, especially in Games 1 and 3," Kreklow said. "We need to take this momentum into the Wagner match tonight and continue to improve match by match."
In their home white uniforms, the Tigers roared out to a 13-7 lead in Game 1 forcing an Akron time out. Mizzou would keep the heat on and take Game 1, 30-16. Morris was awesome in the game recording seven of her 15 kills, six digs and two service aces. The Tigers recorded their best single-game hitting percentage (.310) of the young season in Game 1.
Game 2 saw the Zips hang with the Tigers trailing by as few as two points at 14-12. However, Mizzou would go on a 16-10 run to take the game, 30-22. The Zips would jump out ahead early in Game 3, 5-0, but the Tigers were able to stop the bleeding and heal the wound during the course of the following 17-8 run to take a 17-13 lead. Mizzou would not look back taking the game, 30-20 and the match that took one hour and fifteen minutes, 3-0.
Several Tigers put up quality numbers in the victory. Senior Katie Sowers had a good match picking up sixteen digs while junior Christi Myers and sophomore Chrissy Elder slated eight and four block assists in the match. Moving to 3-0 on the season, Mizzou will take on the Seahawks of Wagner College this afternoon at 5:30 EST at the WVU Coliseum. Watch for in game scoring updates at www.mutigers.com.
