| Match | Location | Day/Time (CT) | Media |
|---|---|---|---|
| at #17 Kentucky | Lexington, Kent. | Sunday // 11:00 p.m. (CT) | SEC Network |
Game Notes: Mizzou |
LEXINGTON, Kent. - Fresh off of a road win at Tennessee, Mizzou volleyball will continue its weekend road trip on Sunday as it heads to No. 17 Kentucky for an 11 a.m. (CT) match that will air live on the SEC Network. This is the only meeting between Mizzou and UK this season.
The Tigers' series against the Wildcats dates back to 1984, but four of the five meetings have occurred since 2008. In all, the Tigers trail the all-time series, 3-2, but have won the last two meetings, winning both contests a year ago, including a dominating 3-0 sweep in Lexington in which Mizzou hit .407 one match after clinching the SEC Championship. Wayne Kreklow is 2-2 all-time against Kentucky.
Over the last three matches, Mizzou's middle hitters have been much more active than they had been as of late. In fact, in the last matches, Mizzou's middles are averaging 8.72 attempts per set, up from just 4.58 in the previous three matches. In that span, Mizzou's middle hitting trio of Emily Thater, Julia Towler and Whitney Little has combined for 46 kills (4.18 per set) after averaging just 1.80 kills per set over the previous four matches.
A big reason for the increased middle production is the resurgence of sophomore Emily Thater. Over her last three matches, she has 24 kills (2.18 per set) on .367 hitting. Thater had just three kills on 14 attempts over her previous four matches combined before her current streak. She had 10 kills on .471 hitting Friday at Tennessee, her most kills since a five-set win at Idaho on Sept. 11 when she posted 12.
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 eight 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 Tennessee
Mizzou volleyball defeated Tennessee, 3-1 (20-25, 25-19, 25-20, 25-21), on Friday night. The win improves the Tigers to 15-12 and 6-6 in SEC play. The win is the Tigers' second consecutive win in Knoxville and it was anchored by another stellar performance from sophomore All-American Carly Kan who paced the Tigers with 13 kills and eight digs. Classmate Emily Thater continued her torrid pace as of late with 10 kills on .471 hitting. In all, six different Tigers posted six or more kills in the win. Senior All-American Whitney Little added eight kills and three blocks and classmate Emily Wilson also tallied eight kills, doing so on .333 hitting. Little tallied her eight kills on .400 hitting as well. Junior Regan Peltier added six kills and two blocks. Freshman Kasey Reuter added eight kills, seven digs and three blocks. Freshman setter Ali Kreklow posted her first career double-double with 13 assists and a career-high 14 digs. Sophomore Loxley Keala spread a team-high 27 assists and pulled in 10 digs, her 12th double-double of the season, which is second in the SEC behind only Kan.
Scouting Kentucky
Record: 21-4 overall, 10-2 in SEC play
Last Match: Defeated UGA, 3-1, on Friday
Players to Watch: Senior OH Lauren O'Conner has tallied 300 kills on the season (3.41 k/s) and leads the team in service aces with 28 this season.
- Junior OH Shelby Workman comes in right behind O'Conner with 280 kills this season (3.18 k/set).
- Setter Morgan Bergren went over 1,000 assists on Friday night vs. UGA. She is averaging 11.14 per set.
- Senior L Jackie Nepper leads the Wildcats with 408 digs on the season.
Notes: Kentucky has been tough to beat in Lexington this season, bringing a 13-2 home record into Sunday.
The Wildcats are 4-1 in their last five matches.
The Wildcats have 7 juniors and seniors and 7 freshman and sophomores.
Up Next
Mizzou will return home to face Georgia and Ole Miss at the Hearnes Center next weekend. For all the latest on Mizzou volleyball, stay tuned to MUTigers.com and follow the team on twitter @MizzouVB.
