University of Missouri
2-4
Miami (Ohio)
3-2
@MizzouVB Splits Final Day at Tiger Invitational
9/3/2016 11:03:00 PM | Volleyball
Tigers end the weekend on high note, defeating Rice, 3-1
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Volleyball earned a split in its final day at the 2016 Tiger Invitational on Saturday inside the Hearnes Center. The Tigers dropped a 3-2 (17-25, 25-22, 23-25, 27-25, 9-15) afternoon match against Miami (Ohio) but rebounded nicely with a 3-1 (25-15, 20-25, 25-21, 25-20) evening win against Rice.
Redshirt junior Melanie Crow (Wildwood, Mo.) was named to her second consecutive 2016 All-Tournament Team, following another outstanding weekend stretch for the Tigers. Crow paced Mizzou in kills (56), kills per set (4.00), aces (six) and points (63.5) over the two-day invitational.
The Tigers competed in their third five-set match of the young season against Miami (Ohio). Following the visiting Redhawks' first set triumph, the two teams exchanged set victories the rest of the way. Ultimately, the Tigers dropped the overall match but impressive individual performances by Crow and senior Carly Kan (Honolulu) stood out.
Against Miami (Ohio), Crow tallied only Mizzou Volleyball's 20th all-time 20-20 match, as she finished with 22 kills and 20 digs. The incredible feat marked only the program's second 20-20 individual match since 2008. Kan fell just short of the impressive mark as well, but still accumulated 17 kills and 20 digs.
Mizzou rebounded nicely in its weekend finale, as its offense exploded against Rice. Overall, the Tigers racked up 73 kills on .431 hitting against the Owls. Additionally, they hit .300 or higher in all four sets, including .500 or higher in two sets. Mizzou saw five individuals produce double-digit kills, highlighted by Crow's sensational performance of 16 kills on .519 hitting.
Kan, redshirt junior Kira Larson (Fargo, N.D.), junior Sydney Deeken (California, Mo.) and sophomore Alyssa Munlyn (Suwanee, Ga.) also tallied 10-plus kills for a balanced Mizzou attack. Deeken's 11 kills on .556 hitting established a new single match career-high.
Junior Courtney Eckenrode (The Woodlands, Texas) reset her season high in assists twice over Saturday's matches, finishing with 34 assists against Miami (Ohio) and 33 assists against Rice.
UP NEXT
Mizzou continues its non-conference tournament schedule from Sept. 9-10 at the Idaho State Invitational. The Tigers will face Idaho State, No. 10 BYU and Boise State throughout the two-day stretch in Pocatello, Idaho.
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).
