| Match | Location | Day/Time (CT) | Media |
|---|---|---|---|
| at Tennessee | Knoxville, Tenn. | Friday // 6 p.m. (CT) | SEC Network |
Game Notes: Mizzou |
The Tigers' series against the Lady Vols dates back to 2005 when the teams met twice that season. In all, Mizzou leads the series, 4-2, after winning in Columbia this season. Mizzou has won the last two meetings and three of four since joining the SEC. Of course, Mizzou met Tennessee twice during the 2005 season. That year, Mizzou defeated Tennessee in Columbia, 3-0, in September but UT then returned the favor in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament, denying the Tigers their first Final Four appearance.
Last weekend, Mizzou's middle hitters were much more active than they had been as of late. In fact, in last weekend's matches with Arkansas and Texas A&M, Mizzou's middles averaged 8.57 attempts per set, up from just 4.58 in the previous three matches. Last weekend, Mizzou's middle hitting duo of Emily Thater and Whitney Little combined for 25 kills (3.57 per set) after averaging just 1.80 kills per set over the previous four matches.
A big reason for the increased production was the resurgence of sophomore Emily Thater. She averaged 2.00 kills per set on .312 hitting and has 32 swings over the two matches. Before her stellar weekend, Thater had just three kills on 14 attempts over her previous four matches combined. Her nine kills on Sunday against Texas A&M were her most since Sept. 11 at Idaho in a five-set win. Her nine kills are a four-set season-high.
Sophomore All-American Carly Kan tallied a double-double in each of the Tigers' matches last weekend, moving her season total to 16, a mark that leads the SEC. She has double-doubles in four of her last seven matches and now has 24 in her career after posting eight as a freshman. The last Tiger to post that many double-doubles in her first two seasons was 2013 SEC Player of the Year Molly Kreklow, who had 28 in 2010 and 2011 (13 and 15, respectively). Her 16 this year are the most by an OH at Mizzou since 2006.
Recapping Texas A&M
Mizzou volleyball lost to No. 23 Texas A&M, 3-1 (25-17, 13-25, 13-25, 16-25), on Sunday afternoon (Nov. 2) at the Hearnes Center. Sophomore All-American Carly Kan posted her SEC-leading 16th double-double with 12 kills and 12 digs, the latter of which was a match-high. Mizzou won the first set, 25-17, while hitting .515, but the nationally-ranked Aggies slowed the Tiger attack from there to clinch the match. Aside from Kan's double-double, Mizzou also got a really nice performance from sophomore middle Emily Thater, who finished with nine kills on .300 hitting with a block and three digs. Her nine kills are her most since Sept. 11 in a five-set win at Idaho. Thater teamed with senior All-American middle Whitney Little to give the Tigers a great presence in the middle as Little added six kills and an assist to go along with Thater's nine kills. Senior Emily Wilson was also very good with nine kills on .250 hitting. Sophomore setter Loxley Keala finished with 19 assists while freshman Ali Kreklow added 17. Kan led the Tigers with her 12 digs while senior libero Sarah Meister pulled in eight digs as did freshman outside hitter Sydney Deeken.
Scouting Tennessee
Record: 8-17 overall, 1-10 in SEC play
Last Match: Loss at Florida 0-3
Players to Watch: Sophomore OH Jamie Lea leads the team in kills with 180 on the season, averaging 2.61 kills per set.
- Sophomore DS Bridgette Villano cleans up with 268 digs this season.
- Junior Setter Lexi Dempsey has amassed 672 assists on the season and has added 28 kills.
Notes: The Lady Vols carry a 3-7 record at home, with their lone SEC win coming in Knoxville over Ole Miss.
- Tennessee has 10 players on its roster who have played in 60 or more sets on the season.
- Nine of Tennessee's 11 conference matches have ended in sweeps. Eight of those have been losses, including three of its last four contests.
Up Next
Mizzou will head to Kentucky for their third match with a ranked opponent this season on Sunday. The match will air live on the SEC Network. For all the latest on Mizzou volleyball, stay tuned to MUTigers.com and follow the team on twitter @MizzouVB.
