| Match | Location | Day/Time (CT) | Media |
|---|---|---|---|
| vs. Georgia | Columbia, Mo. | Friday // 6:30 p.m. (CT) | Mizzou Network |
Game Notes: Mizzou |
The Tigers' series with the Bulldogs dates back to 1984 and this will be the seventh meeting in the series. In the previous six meetings, the teams are an even 3-3 with the teams trading wins in every meeting since 1984. Four of the meetings have come since Mizzou joined the SEC in 2012, and of course each team is 2-2.
Balance has been the key for the Tiger offense as of late. Last weekend in matches at Tennessee and No. 17 Kentucky, that balance was evident. In each match, Mizzou had six attackers with at least five kills in its 6-2 offense. In fact, over the last five matches, at least five different attackers have finished with five or more kills, the longest such streak of the season for the Tigers. In that span, Mizzou's top six attackers are all averaging at least 1.72 kills per set while no player is averaging more than 3.33. The six attackers have combined for 12.98 kills per set on .266 hitting. In SEC play, Mizzou's top six hitters are all hitting .200 or better as well, while four of the six check in at .255 or better.
The balanced offense for the Tigers has been a key to better play as of late. In fact, over the last five matches the Tigers are hitting .357 as a team while averaging 13.61 kills per set. The only bad match in that span was a 3-1 loss to nationally-ranked Texas A&M in which Mizzou hit .154. Otherwise, the Tigers have hit better than .240 in four of their last five matches, including a .275 clip at No. 17 Kentucky on Sunday, their best clip against a ranked opponent this season.
A pair of Tiger `Emilys' have been on fire as of late and have been key for the Tiger offense. Senior outside hitter Emily Wilson is averaging 2.54 kills per set on .342 hitting over her last seven matches and sophomore middle Emily Thater has 31 kill on .365 hitting over her last four contests.
Recapping Kentucky
Mizzou volleyball suffered a 3-0 (21-25, 23-25, 22-25) setback at the hands of No. 17 Kentucky last Sunday. Mizzou was again led by a balanced offensive attack on Sunday, highlighted by senior Emily Wilson, who had 12 kills on .500 hitting. The 12 kills are her most since Oct. 19 at Mississippi State. Mizzou finished with more kills (48-42) than Kentucky, but 10 service errors cost the Tigers. In all, six Tiger attackers finished with at least five kills for the second consecutive match. Sophomore All-American Carly Kan finished with nine kills and eight digs and classmate Emily Thater added seven kills on .357 hitting. Her partner in the middle Whitney Little also added seven kills and a team-high three blocks. Freshman Kasey Reuter added six kills and a career-high nine digs while Regan Peltier pitched in five kills. Senior libero Sarah Meister led Mizzou with 12 digs.
Scouting Georgia
Record: 11-14, 3-10 SEC
Last Match: Lost 2-3 to Arkansas in SEC play.
Players to Watch: Senior OH Tirah Le'au leads the team at the net with with 258 kills on the season (2.72 k/set). She has scored 311 total points this season, which is 3.27 points/set.
- Senior MB Lauren Teknipp comes in right behind Le'au with 221 kills (2.35 k/set) and a very respectable .217 hitting percentage.
- Sophomore MB Desiree McCray has also been a strong force at the net with 117 blocks this season for an average of 1.24 blocks/set.
- Senior DS Gaby Smiley cleans up in the back row, averaging 3.40 digs per set and has a total of 309 digs
Up Next
Mizzou will return home to face Ole Miss at the Hearnes Center Sunday. The match will air live on SEC Network. For all the latest on Mizzou volleyball, stay tuned to MUTigers.com and follow the team on twitter @MizzouVB.
