University of Missouri
9-3
Delaware
6-6
@MizzouVB Caps Perfect Weekend, Earns Delaware Invite Title
9/17/2016 8:19:00 PM | Volleyball
Thater explodes for 12 kills on .667 hitting to lead offense
NEWARK, Del. – Mizzou Volleyball (9-3) finished off an impressive weekend with a 3-0 (25-11, 25-21, 25-13) sweep over Delaware. Saturday evening's victory capped the Tigers' perfect 3-0 trip and cemented its championship at the 2016 Delaware Invitational.
Redshirt junior Melanie Crow (Wildwood, Mo.), redshirt junior Kira Larson (Fargo, N.D.) and senior Carly Kan (Honolulu) were each named to the Delaware All-Tournament Team. Crow earned MVP honors after totaling a team high 39 kills (3.90 kills per set), four aces and 44.0 points. The Tiger newcomer earned All-Tournament Team accolades in each of Mizzou's four nonconference tournaments this season.
Larson was incredibly efficient on offense, totaling 27 kills on .411 hitting this weekend. She was also one of three Tigers to post double-digit total blocks, joining sophomore Alyssa Munlyn (Suwanee, Ga.) and senior Emily Thater (Springfield, Mo.). Kan continued her tradition as an all-around contributor, posting 24 kills and 38 digs (3.80 digs per set).
A big key to the Tigers' perfect weekend in Newark, Del., was their implementation of the 5-1 offense. Junior Courtney Eckenrode (The Woodlands, Texas) took over sole duties at setter and tallied 119 assists (11.90 per set) en route to a team .327 hitting percentage.
Munlyn and Thater also took advantage of the new Tiger attack, as they each recorded impressive three-match stretches. Munlyn finished with 22 kills on .391 hitting, while Thater posted 24 kills on .439 hitting.
Mizzou got off to a quick start Saturday evening, claiming a 25-11 opening set victory. Munlyn was fantastic on both sides of the ball, recording four kills and four total blocks. Crow also shined on offense for the Tigers, matching Munlyn's team high four kills. Thater provided three kills and two digs to round out an impressive opening set for Mizzou.
The Tigers trailed by six points early in the second set, but charged late and ultimately prevailed with a 25-21 triumph. Thater continued her strong match with four more kills in the second set. Mizzou's strong defense led to Delaware hitting less than .100 for the second consecutive set. The Tigers had five individuals with at least one block, highlighted by five total blocks (two solo) from Munlyn.
Mizzou capped off its weekend in dominating fashion with a 25-13 third set match-clinching win. Thater concluded her outstanding evening on offense with four additional kills in the third set. Her 12 kills marked a season high and fell just short of her career high by one. Mizzou's played a key factor into its success tonight and all weekend long. Overall against Delaware, the Tigers limited them to .011 hitting (21 kills, 20 errors) and tallied nine total blocks.
UP NEXT
The Hearnes Center will host Mizzou's 2016 Southeastern Conference opener on Wednesday, Sept. 21. First serve between the Tigers and South Carolina is set for 8 p.m. (CT) and the match will broadcast live on ESPNU.
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).
