University of Missouri
2-0
Fairfield
0-2
@MizzouVB Splits Final Day at James Madison Invitational
8/25/2018 9:28:00 PM | Volleyball
Tigers open day with sweep over Fairfield, drop close contest to host Dukes in finale
HARRISONBURG, Va. - Mizzou Volleyball (2-1) concluded its weekend trip at the James Madison Invitational on Saturday with a morning/evening doubleheader. The Tigers opened their day with a sweep (25-13, 25-17, 25-15) over Fairfield, followed by a close 3-1 (26-28, 25-22, 25-27, 24-26) defeat to the host Dukes.
??? HIGHLIGHTS l #Mizzou opens its season with consecutive sweeps! James Madison Invitational finale set for tonight at 6:30 pm CT#MIZ #ShowMe ???? pic.twitter.com/5ONGvvYzg3
— Mizzou Volleyball (@MizzouVB) August 25, 2018
With Saturday's opening victory against Fairfield, Wayne Kreklow and Susan Kreklow picked up career win No. 900 in their storied 29-year tenure as head coaches at the collegiate level (1990-pres.).
Another achievement in an incredible 29-year career. CONGRATS Wayne and Susan!#MIZ #ShowMe ???? pic.twitter.com/iN2DXOjDUR
— Mizzou Volleyball (@MizzouVB) August 25, 2018
In the Tigers' doubleheader finale, senior MB Alyssa Munlyn tallied her 500th career total block. She joins Whitney Little as the only Tigers in program history to eclipse the impressive mark.
The third set is opened in style, as Alyssa Munlyn earns career total block No. 5??0??0??
— Mizzou Volleyball (@MizzouVB) August 26, 2018
Only the 2nd player in #Mizzou history to accomplish the feat!#MIZ #ShowMe ???? pic.twitter.com/4lqJqTgVkq
Munlyn and sophomore OH Leketor Member-Meneh were named to the 2018 James Madison Invitational All-Tournament Team after their standout weekends on the court. Member-Meneh exploded for a career-high 23 kills in Saturday's finale against James Madison, ending the weekend with a team-high 39 kills on .329 hitting.
Munlyn was a two-way force as usual for the Tigers, posting 21 kills on .476 hitting on offense and 15 total blocks (1.50 per set) on defense.
#ShowMe Top Performers vs. Fairfield
- Kylie Deberg: 10 kills, 2 aces, 2 digs
- Munlyn: 6 kills on .500 hitting, 6 total blocks
- Member-Meneh: 7 kills on .538 hitting, 3 digs, 2 total blocks
- Dariana Hollingsworth: 5 kills on .364 hitting, 5 digs, 3 total blocks
#ShowMe Top Performers vs. James Madison
- Member-Meneh: 23 kills (career-high)
- Tyanna Omazic: 12 kills (career-high) on .500 hitting, 5 digs, 2 total blocks
- Jaden Newsome: 9 kills on .643 hitting, 34 assists, 5 digs, 4 total blocks
- Munlyn: 9 kills on .421 hitting, 2 digs, 8 total blocks
Hear From Head Coach Wayne Kreklow
On the Tigers' finale Saturday evening in Harrisonburg…
"Tonight (vs. James Madison) was disappointing for sure. We had opportunities, but our youth and inexperience showed. We need to be better competitors and deal with the runs that are common in this game. There's no way to cheat the process though, as you have to take your licks to learn. The secret to success is learning from the tough lessons. If we do that, this group is going to be fine."
#MIZ Takeaways vs. Fairfield
- Mizzou was fantastic all-around in the opening set, highlighted by 11 kills on .400 hitting and four aces. Member-Meneh, Omazic and Hollingsworth each paced the offense with three kills.
- Strong serving was key as well, as Deberg set a career-high with two aces early on. The Stags were routinely out of system on offense, leading to six attack errors and a .042 hitting percentage.
- Munlyn was a force in set two, notching four kills on .667 hitting and two total blocks.
- Using the 6-2 offensive system, both Andrea Fuentes and Newsome provided a balanced attack with nine assists each after two sets of play.
- Freshman Brynn Paumen made her Mizzou debut in the third set, while Paige Perego tallied her first career ace.
- Deberg was held to only one kill in the opening set, but exploded for nine additional kills in the second and third set. The strong conclusion secured back to back 10-plus kill matches to begin her black and gold career.
#MIZ Takeaways vs. James Madison
- Mizzou came out rolling in the first set, possessing an early lead of 17-13. James Madison had an answer however, leading to eight ties and three lead changes the rest of the set. The Dukes ultimately emerged with a kill and ace after the score was tied at 26 apiece.
- The second set was more of the same inside Sinclair Gym, featuring tense moments again late in the action. James Madison cut the deficit to two late, but a costly service error and a big kill from Omazic secured Mizzou's triumph.
- Member-Meneh posted five kills for the second straight set, securing her first 10-plus kill match of the year. Omazic and Deberg also shined offensively in the set, tallying four kills apiece.
- The exciting action continued in set three, as the two teams battled to 16 ties and nine lead changes. Facing set point down 24-23, Mizzou fired back with consecutive points to put James Madison on the ropes. However, the Dukes responded with three straight to steal the set.
- Member-Meneh was sensational again on offense, producing eight kills on .545 hitting in the third set, increasing her total to a season-high 18 kills through three sets of play.
- The Tigers dropped the third set despite tallying 20 kills on .471 hitting. The Dukes weren't too far behind, recording 21 kills on .421 hitting.
- In the fourth and final set, the two teams needed extra points to decide the winner for the third time. 10 ties and three lead changes capped off 38 overall ties and 17 lead changes inside Sinclair Gym.
Purchase 2018 Season Tickets
Season tickets are still available for the upcoming home campaign. Adult season tickets can be purchased for $40, while senior and youth passes are available for $30 each. Visit MUTigers.com/VBTix or call 1-800-CAT-PAWS to secure your season passes today.
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