University of Missouri
21-5, 12-2SEC
South Carolina
18-8, 6-8SEC
#21 @MizzouVB Falls 3-1 at South Carolina
11/13/2016 5:27:00 PM | Volleyball
Tigers look to rebound next weekend with pair of home contests
COLUMBIA, S.C. – No. 21 Mizzou Volleyball (21-5, 12-2 SEC) saw its brief three-match winning streak come to an end on Sunday, as it fell 3-1 (20-25, 25-23, 24-26, 23-25) at South Carolina. The Tigers saw four individuals excel on offense with double-digit kills, but the host Gamecocks played strong at the net all match long, keying their upset.
South Carolina used an efficient hitting attack and tough serving to take the opening set, 25-20. Mizzou suffered nine attack errors in the first set, while the Gamecocks tallied 12 kills on .360 hitting. Sophomore Alyssa Munlyn (Suwanee, Ga.) and redshirt junior Kira Larson (Fargo, N.D.) performed well on Mizzou's offense, posting four kills apiece.
Mizzou answered its tough first set with a blitzing 7-0 run to begin set two. The Tigers wouldn't relinquish their lead the rest of the set and held on for a slim 25-23 triumph. Senior Carly Kan (Honolulu) was fantastic on offense, posting a set high six kills. Mizzou's defense also stepped up its play, recording three total blocks and limiting South Carolina to .167 hitting.
The two teams battled back and forth in the third set, before South Carolina won in extra points, 26-24. Mizzou trailed 24-22 late before a kill and dual block evened the set at 24 apiece. The host Gamecocks responded however, taking advantage of a costly Tigers service error. Despite dropping the set, redshirt junior Melanie Crow (Wildwood, Mo.) exploded for a team high seven kills on .500 hitting. Overall, the Tigers produced an impressive 17 kills on .394 hitting.
Mizzou played well in the early portion of the fourth set, building late leads of 18-14 and 22-18. Following a big block by Munlyn and Larson, the Tigers held a 23-21 advantage. South Carolina had an answer however as it used the energy from its home crowd to battle back. The Gamecocks rallied for a match-clinching 4-1 run and completed its victory over the Tigers.
TOP TIGERS
- Crow: 17 kills on .293 hitting, 13 digs, 8th double-double this year
- Kan: 14 kills and 16 digs, team-leading 11th double-double this season
- Munlyn: 10 kills on .400 hitting, 4 total blocks
- Larson: 12 kills on .296 hitting, 5 digs, 3 total blocks
UP NEXT
Mizzou concludes its 2016 regular season with three of its final four matches at home. Next weekend, the Tigers host Auburn on Friday, Nov. 18, followed by a matchup against No. 6 Florida on Sunday, Nov. 20. First serve at the Hearnes Center is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. (CT) and 3 p.m. (CT), respectively.
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