Oct. 29, 2005
COLUMBIA, Mo. - Facing their second five-game match of the week, the No. 8 Missouri women's volleyball team could not shake the visiting Colorado Buffaloes (11-7, 7-6), who won their fifth-straight match. The Tigers (16-3, 10-3 Big 12) were led by junior Jessica Vander Kooi who scored on 19 kills in their 30-20, 28-30, 30-23, 27-30, 12-15 loss. The Tigers had nine service aces, but were stymied by a season-high 17 service errors.
Mizzou recorded 16 blocks on the night, led by junior Nicole Wilson who scored on nine blocks, tying a season-high for the fourth time this year.
Senior Lindsey Hunter produced her third-consecutive double-double, tallying 59 assists on a tied season-high 13 digs. Four Tigers scored double-digit kill totals. Along with Vander Kooi, who had a .515 hitting percentage (19-2-33), Na Yang scored on 17 kills and six blocks. Wilson added 13 kills and senior Lisa Boyd had 10 kills with five blocks.
For Colorado, Allie Griffin scored on 19 kills to lead the team. Lara Bossow had a team-high five aces for the `Buffs. Colorado has improved dramatically since the last time Mizzou played the team. As with their five-match winning streak, Colorado has defeated three top-25 teams after losing five-of-six to begin the Big 12 season.
Serving once again proved key in both Tiger success and demise. Mizzou scored on nine service aces, four by Abbie Booth, but recorded 17 service errors. Colorado used tough serving as well, which at times threw off the Tiger offense, as the Buffaloes had eight aces, but also had 10 errors behind the line.
In game one, the Tigers led at 15-8 before Colorado rattled off six-consecutive points, which included three kills by Griffin to cut the lead to two at 16-14. Mizzou responded with an 8-2 run to go up 23-16. The Tigers held strong in the frame, ending the period with a four-point streak and two-consective kills by Yang to take One 30-20.
In game two, the Tigers had control for the first half of the stanza, leading by as much as six as late as 18-12. But, Colorado used a 11-3 run to lead at 23-22. The teams fought for the lead and were tied a 26-26 before a three-point CU run, ending with another ace by Bossow. A split of the final four points gave Colorado the game win at 30-28.
The Tigers went up 15-10 in game three to take control early and kept hold in their 30-23 frame win. Vander Kooi recorded seven kills in the frame, including three straight on a 3-0 run to make the score 27-20.
The Buffaloes used a five-point run in game four to pull away from the Tigers. As with the Buffs up 12-11, Colorado scored off a double-block, two consecutive aces by Bossow, and two-consecutive kills by Griffin to go up 17-11. The Tigers fought back to tie at 20-20 after a 9-3 run, but another three-point Colorado mini-run kept the Tigers at bay. Mizzou actually outhit Colorado significantly .333 to .176, but were strung with six service errors.
The fifth frame resembled what Mizzou experienced Wednesday night at No. 24 Kansas State. In that fifth game, and in tonight's fifth game, the teams traded scores, and were tied at 12-12. But, this time, Mizzou's opponent took the cake, as Colorado scored on the next three points with two kills by Nicole Carr and a service ace that touched the end line by Alex Buth. The teams had their best hitting stanza of the set, as Mizzou hit .462, having only one error to Colorado's .467.
The Tigers will next host Texas Tech, Wednesday, at 6:30 p.m., in the Hearnes Center. Tickets will be available at a discounted rate and parking will only be allowed on the East side of the Hearnes Center, due to Mizzou's men's basketball exhibition versus Bemidji State which starts at 7.