University of Missouri
11-2
(#25) Alabama
12-2
@MizzouVB Sweeps No. 25 Alabama to Open SEC Play
9/19/2018 10:56:00 PM | Volleyball
Tigers limit Crimson Tide to .056 hitting
Photo Gallery vs. No. 25 Alabama
COLUMBIA, Mo. - Mizzou Volleyball (11-2, 1-0 SEC) treated its home fans to a ranked victory Wednesday evening in the 2018 Southeastern Conference opener. The Tigers took care of the Crimson Tide in straight sets (25-22, 25-18, 28-26) and improved to 6-1 all-time in SEC openers since joining their new conference in 2012.
Another accolade in Wayne and Susan Kreklow's incredible coaching career, as last night they earned all-time win No. 4??0??0?? at the helm of #Mizzou #MIZ #ShowMe ???? pic.twitter.com/gj4KSnWuWE
— Mizzou Volleyball (@MizzouVB) September 20, 2018
Wednesday's triumph also marked Wayne Kreklow and Susan Kreklow's 400th career win as head coaches at Mizzou (2000-present). In five years at the helm for the Tigers (2000-04), Susan accumulated a 109-46 record, while Wayne improved to 291-142 tonight in midst of his 14th season (2005-present) as the team's head coach.
#ShowMe Top Performers vs. No. 25 Alabama
- Dariana Hollingsworth: 14 kills on .429 hitting, 12 digs, 5 total blocks
- Leketor Member-Meneh: 15 kills, 4 digs
- Kylie Deberg: 10 kills, 1 ace, 4 digs, 1 solo blocks, 4 total blocks
- Andrea Fuentes: 26 assists, 3 digs
Hear From Head Coach Wayne Kreklow
On Mizzou holding off Alabama in the match-clinching set…
"I was really pleased and proud of the way we dug in when things were looking pretty bleak. I don't think it should've even happened, because I felt like we were in control and they (Alabama) were hanging by a thread. It's a good lesson to learn for our kids though on how unforced errors can turn things quickly and let the other team back in it. I did think we did a really good job of steadying up and executing. We were really mentally tough down the stretch."
#MIZ Takeaways
- The Tigers limited the Crimson Tide to only .056 hitting Wednesday, including a -.025 mark in the third and final set. Overall this season, Mizzou has held its opposition to under .100 overall hitting four times and under .200 hitting 10 times.
- Following tonight's match, Mizzou leads the SEC in opponent hitting percentage, limiting its foes to only .138 hitting this year.
- A big key to the Tigers' defensive prowess has been their blocking, as they earned 11.0 additional total blocks against Alabama. It marked their ninth match with double-digit total blocks this season, including their third straight such occurrence.
- Mizzou improved its stranglehold on the SEC lead in virtually every blocking category, as it now ranks first in total blocks (140), blocks per set (2.99) and block assists (203).
- Hollingsworth turned in arguably her top overall match of the year Wednesday, setting a season-high in kills (14) and hitting percentage (.429).
- Additionally, Hollingsworth earned her first double-double of the season (14 kills, 12 digs), becoming the fourth Tiger this season to accomplish the feat.
- After opening her Tiger career with 11 consecutive double-digit kill matches, Deberg closed out last weekend's Mizzou Invitational with seven kills against Drake. The Hudson, Iowa, native got back on track tonight versus Alabama, supplying 10 kills for the Tiger offense.
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