University of Missouri
2-1
Northern Iowa
1-0
No. 19 @MizzouVB Drops Two Five-Set Matches in Culver’s Governors Challenge Finale
8/26/2017 7:00:00 PM | Volleyball
Tigers force fifth set against both Northern Iowa and Austin Peay, but can’t close out either contest
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – No. 19 Mizzou Volleyball (2-2) concluded its quick two-day trip at the Culver's Governors Challenge Saturday (Aug. 26), falling to both Northern Iowa and host Austin Peay in five sets.
The Tigers fought back and forced a fifth and final set in each match, but ultimately lost to both the Panthers (24-26, 25-17, 21-25, 28-26, 12-15) and Governors (11-25, 25-19, 25-27, 25-22, 15-17).
Top Performers vs. Northern Iowa
- Leketor Member-Meneh: 17 kills, 8 digs, 18.5 points
- Courtney Eckenrode: 56 assists, 18 digs, double-double
- Sydney Deeken: career-high 16 kills, 10 digs, double-double
- Kira Larson: 10 kills, 1 ace, 14 digs, 5 total blocks, double-double
- Alyssa Munlyn: 11 kills on .455 hitting, 5 total blocks
Top Performers vs. Austin Peay
- Member-Meneh: 22 kills on .327 hitting, 11 digs, second double-double, second 20-plus kill match of the weekend
- Munlyn: 11 kills on .348 hitting, 7 total blocks
- Eckenrode: 46 assists, 17 digs, second-consecutive double-double
- Kayla Caffey: 10 kills on .381 hitting, 2 total blocks
Hear From Coach Kreklow
On Saturday's hard-fought matches…
"I thought that we played pretty well this morning against a good Northern Iowa team. We gave ourselves a chance, but made too many errors at key times. We have to learn how to be better at small balls and in out-of-system situations."
"I was very disappointed with our mental preparation this afternoon against Austin Peay. We were simply not very good in any area of the game. Without Melanie (Crow) in the lineup, we are going to have to figure some things out quickly. Our block was scattered and undisciplined and passing was a major issue. We've got a couple days to work on things and then we're right back at it against some very strong teams next weekend in Boise, Idaho."
#Mizzou Takeaways
- Deeken stepped back into the starting lineup vs. Northern Iowa, recording a career-high 16 kills. The California, Mo., native also added 10 digs, securing her first double-double of the season.
- Eckenrode (56 assists/career-high 18 digs) and Larson (10 kills/14 digs) gave Mizzou three individuals with double-doubles in Saturday's opener.
- Munlyn has opened her junior campaign on a terror, hitting .340-plus with multiple total blocks in all four matches played thus far.
- Five Tigers recorded double-digit points against Northern Iowa despite the loss. Mizzou has accomplished the impressive balanced attack twice already this season.
- After a sensational Tigers debut Friday (Aug. 25), Member-Meneh matched her career-high in kills with 22 on an impressive .327 hitting percentage against Austin Peay.
- The St. Louis, Mo., native also added 11 digs, securing her second double-double of the tournament.
- Mizzou out-hit both Northern Iowa (.251 to .249) and Austin Peay (.264 to .231) Saturday afternoon, usually creating a recipe for a victory. Unfortunately for the Tigers, the opposition excelled in other areas across the game, leading to their ultimate downfall in each match.
- Despite the .500 record on the court, numerous Mizzou players filled up the stat sheet this weekend in Clarksville, Tenn. Member-Meneh was sensational in her Tigers debut, recording 70 kills (3.89 per set) on .305 hitting with 38 digs and 75.5 points.
- Munlyn (35 kills on .455 hitting and 19 total blocks) and Caffey (31 kills on .410 hitting and 13 total blocks) were each forces at middle blocker.
Up Next
Mizzou heads west to Boise, Idaho, next weekend (Sept. 1-2) for its second non-conference tournament of the 2017 season. The Tigers will play three matches over two days, beginning with a doubleheader on Friday versus Sacramento State and No. 10 BYU. Mizzou concludes its quick trip at the Boise State Invitational on Saturday against host Boise State.
Purchase Your 2017 Season Tickets
Fans are encouraged to call 1-800-CAT-PAWS or visit MUTigers.com/VBSeasonTix to purchase their 2017 Mizzou Volleyball season tickets today. Adult season passes are available for $40, while youth Tigers fans (ages 3-17) and seniors (ages 65-plus) passes are $30 each.
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).
