University of Missouri
1-0
North Dakota State
0-1
@MizzouVB Wins Wild Season Opener vs. North Dakota State, 3-2
8/28/2015 10:35:00 PM | Volleyball
Tigers clinch fifth and final set with 12-3 run
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Volleyball earned a thrilling 3-2 (22-25, 25-16, 25-18, 18-25, 15-9) victory over North Dakota State on Friday evening in the team's season opening match. After taking a 2-1 set lead, the Tigers had to use an impressive run in the fifth and final set to secure the match win.
"It was an exciting match each and every set, and we're happy to come out with the victory tonight against North Dakota State," head coach Wayne Kreklow said. "We went up 2-1 and I have to give credit to North Dakota State for coming back strong. We were down early in the fifth set, but our ladies fought back and I was real pleased with how our team responded to close out tonight's win."
Junior Carly Kan (Honolulu, Hawaii) turned in an outstanding performance for the Tigers, tallying 21 kills on .432 hitting and 15 digs. Her double-double in the team's season opening match is no surprise, after she produced 19 double-doubles a season ago.
Overall, the Tigers had 58 kills on .309 hitting Friday evening at the Hearnes Center. Freshman Alyssa Munlyn (Suwanee, Ga.) and senior Regan Peltier (Nixa, Mo.) also had high scoring nights for Mizzou, as they produced 10 and 12 kills, respectively.
Redshirt sophomore Kira Larson (Fargo, N.D.) was one of six Tigers making their team debut tonight, and she didn't disappoint with her eight kills on .316 hitting. Fellow newcomer and transfer from Nebraska, junior Alexa Ethridge (Lee's Summit, Mo.) was a spark plug in the back row all evening, highlighted by her 17 digs and four assists.
The Tiger sophomore duo of Ali Kreklow (Columbia, Mo.) and Courtney Eckenrode (The Woodlands, Texas) successfully set up hitters throughout the night, finishing with 24 and 25 assists, respectively.
Mizzou concludes the 2015 Tiger Invitational tomorrow inside the Hearnes Center with a pair of matchups. The Tigers face Winthrop at 12:30 p.m., and wrap up its tournament at 6:30 p.m. against North Texas. Both matches will be streamed online through SEC Network + via WatchESPN.
Check in to MUTigers.com for the latest information on all things Mizzou Volleyball. You can also find the Tigers on social media by liking us on Facebook (Missouri Volleyball) and following us on Twitter and Instagram (@MizzouVB).
