University of Missouri
2-0
Pittsburgh
1-1
@MizzouVB Reels Off Three Straight Sets, Defeats Pittsburgh, 3-1
8/27/2016 11:34:00 AM | Volleyball
Tigers overcame first set struggles for second consecutive match
KENNESAW, Ga. – Mizzou Volleyball overcame a slow start for the second consecutive match, as it defeated Pittsburgh, 3-1 (22-25, 28-26, 25-23, 25-11), on Saturday morning.
"Similar to Kennesaw State last night, Pittsburgh is a really solid team and it got off to a hot start against us," head coach Wayne Kreklow said. "Once again though, our ladies battled really tough and I was really pleased with our fight in that second set marathon. We used that momentum the rest of the way and really showed what we're capable of in that fourth and final set."
Sophomore Alyssa Munlyn (Suwanee, Ga.) was electric for the Tigers, finishing with a team-high 14 kills on .591 hitting and team-best seven total blocks. Redshirt junior Melanie Crow (Wildwood, Mo.) used her serving game as a bolt for Mizzou, as she produced a career-high seven aces. The new Tiger once again filled the overall stat sheet, tallying nine kills, six digs and two total blocks.
Mizzou struggled with its attack in the first set and Pittsburgh capitalized with a 25-22 triumph. Munlyn shined for the Tigers despite dropping the set, tallying four kills on .500 hitting with three total blocks.
The Tigers fought hard and completed an outstanding comeback to claim the second set, 28-26. Mizzou's strong serving (four aces) and defense (five total blocks) paved the way to even the match score. Redshirt sophomore Kira Larson (Fargo, N.D.) got back on track after an uncharacteristic first set and tallied three big kills.
Crow put Mizzou on her back in the third set, due in large part to incredible serving. Crow tallied four aces overall in the set, highlighted by three consecutive aces to cap off an exciting 25-23 comeback for the Tigers. The seven aces through three sets of play already cruised past her single-match career high of four.
It was all Mizzou in the fourth and final set, as it produced 18 kills on an incredible .593 hitting percentage. Crow and Munlyn each delivered four kills to lead the Tigers' impressive offensive showing. Junior Ali Kreklow (Columbia, Mo.) paced the Tigers with 21 assists, while senior Alexa Ethridge (Lee's Summit, Mo.) once again secured the most digs with 16.
Junior Sydney Deeken (California, Mo.) provided a much needed spark off the bench for Mizzou in the second set. Overall, Deeken finished with three kills, two digs and two total blocks.
The Tigers close out their visit at the 2016 Kennesaw State Invitational later today at 4:30 p.m. (CT). Mizzou will square off against Liberty for the second consecutive season. The Tigers tallied a 3-1 victory against the Lady Flames at last year's Appalachian State Invitational.
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).
