University of Missouri
12-0
Youngstown State
5-9
Strong Hitting Propels @MizzouVB To Butler Invitational Championship
9/19/2015 2:37:00 PM | Volleyball
Tigers finish with a .371 team hitting percentage, second highest of the season
INDIANAPOLIS – Mizzou Volleyball improved to 12-0 this season and claimed its fourth consecutive tournament title after a 3-0 (25-12, 25-11, 25-22) sweep over Youngstown State inside Hinkle Fieldhouse.
"We took advantage of some much needed rest last night and came out today with an impressive hitting performance," head coach Wayne Kreklow said. "From the first serve, we were really aggressive and played smart. We'll look to finish our nonconference season strong next Wednesday at Saint Louis."
Junior Carly Kan (Honolulu, Hawaii) was named tournament MVP this weekend, locking up the honor in all four Mizzou tournaments this season. Redshirt sophomore Kira Larson (Fargo, N.D.) and junior Alexa Ethridge (Lee's Summit, Mo.) rounded out the Tigers' representatives on the 2015 Butler Invitational All-Tournament Team.
For the weekend, Kan finished with a team-high 55 kills on .307 hitting and two double-doubles. Larson was the team's most efficient hitter as she tallied 28 total kills on .348 hitting. Ethridge produced a team-leading 51 digs (4.64 per set) along with 11 assists in her first All-Tournament Team honor of the year.
Sophomore setting duo of Ali Kreklow (Columbia, Mo.) and Courtney Eckenrode (The Woodlands, Texas) played a big role into the Tigers' success in Indianapolis, finishing with 67 and 66 assists, respectively.
The Tiger tallied 16 kills on .464 hitting en route to a dominating first set. Kan led the way with five kills on .364 hitting. Larson, junior Julia Towler (Blue Springs, Mo.), senior Regan Peltier (Nixa, Mo.) and junior Emily Thater (Springfield, Mo.) also each had multi-kills in the opening set.
Mizzou exceeded .400 hitting once again in the second set, leading to another dominating set triumph. Kan had eight kills on .727 hitting and secured her 11th double-digit kill match of the season.
UP NEXT
Mizzou concludes its nonconference schedule Wednesday, Sept. 23, at Saint Louis. First serve at Chaifetz Pavilion is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT. The Tigers begin SEC play Wednesday, Sept. 30, at the Hearnes Center with No. 5 Florida. Mizzou's conference opener will be televised on SEC Network with first serve scheduled for 7 p.m. CT.
Visit 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).
