University of Missouri
27-6
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Kansas
28-2
@MizzouVB Falls 3-0 To Kansas In NCAA Tournament Finale
12/4/2015 9:53:00 PM | Volleyball
Tigers' 27 wins were fifth-most in a single-season in program history
LAWRENCE, Kan. – No. 25 Mizzou Volleyball saw its 2015 campaign come to an end after falling 3-0 (16-25, 13-25, 25-27) to No. 9 Kansas on Friday in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers' 27 total wins in 2015 marked the fifth-highest victory total in a single-season in program history.
"Obviously, it's always disappointing to see your season come to an end like this," head coach Wayne Kreklow said. "We give a lot of credit to Kansas as they are a really solid all-around team. It was a great venue tonight as both fan bases were loud and passionate. This team should be really proud of its accomplishments this season. Our ladies showed incredible resiliency and passion all season long. I'm very proud of this squad."
Mizzou struggled with its attack early on and Kansas held a comfortable lead throughout the first set. The Jayhawks' strong defense led to uncharacteristic errors by the Tiger starters, leading to a 1-0 match deficit. Junior Carly Kan (Honolulu) and redshirt sophomore Kira Larson (Fargo, N.D.) each posted three kills despite the team dropping the opening set.
Kansas continued its outstanding defense at the net in set two, propelling its 2-0 set advantage over the Tigers. Mizzou once again had trouble finding a rhythm on offense while the Jayhawks hit better than .300 for the second set in a row.
Mizzou came to life in the third set as its offense and defense both stepped up. The Tigers pushed Kansas to the brink, holding a 24-20 advantage late in the set. Kansas wouldn't go down quietly as it used the momentum from the home crowd to even the set at 24 apiece. The Tigers later held another set point opportunity but the Jayhawks reeled off three consecutive points to seal their 3-0 match sweep.
2015 SEASON NOTABLES
- Mizzou's 27 victories were the fifth-most in a single-season in program history
- The 27 season wins also marked the 17th 20-plus win campaign in the program's 42-year history. Additionally, it marked the ninth 25-plus win season in Tiger history and the fourth 25-plus win season under Wayne and Susan Kreklow
- The Tigers earned their 12th all-time NCAA Tournament bid in 2015. With their first round victory over Missouri State on Dec. 3, the Tigers advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the seventh time in school history (all coming under the Kreklows)
- Mizzou's final .818 winning percentage (27-6) is the third-highest season winning percentage in school history, trailing only the 2013 (.972) and 2005 (.833) Mizzou Volleyball squads
- Mizzou finished with an incredible 358.5 total blocks this season, marking the most total blocks in a single-season in program history. Additionally, the Tigers' 495 block assists were the most in a single-season in program history
- More blocking history by this year's Tigers included the second-highest blocks per set (2.80) in a single-season and tied for fourth (111) with the most team solo blocks in a single season
- Three Tigers' recorded 100-plus total blocks this season (Freshman Alyssa Munlyn: 149, junior Emily Thater: 125 and junior Julia Towler: 105)
- Mizzou's .259 season hitting percentage was the eighth-highest team hitting percentage in a single-season in Tiger history
- Junior Carly Kan, redshirt sophomore Kira Larson and Munlyn were each named to the 2015 All-SEC Team for their outstanding seasons. Munlyn was also named to the 2015 SEC All-Freshman Team and was tabbed the 2015 SEC Freshman of the Year for her incredible first-year campaign in black and gold.
- Kan once again had an All-American caliber season for Mizzou, posting new career-highs in kills (491), solo blocks (27), total blocks (52) and points (563.5)
- Kan surpassed 1,000 career kills, digs and points this season, becoming just the fifth Tiger in program history to accomplish the feat
- Kan's 491 kills this season were the seventh-most in a single-season in Tiger history
- In just her first season at Mizzou, Munlyn etched her name across the record books, including the most total blocks in a single-season (149) and the most block assists in a single-season (124)
- Junior Alexa Ethridge recorded 493 digs this season, marking the seventh-highest dig total in a single season in program history
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