University of Missouri
10-3 (2-1SEC)
Texas A&M
10-4 (2-2SEC)
No. 22 Mizzou Volleyball Erases Two Set Deficit, Stuns Texas A&M Sunday, 3-2
10/6/2019 5:02:00 PM | Volleyball
Tigers reel off three-straight sets to earn big SEC victory
COLUMBIA, Mo. - No. 22 Mizzou Volleyball (10-3, 2-1 SEC) produced its most thrilling win of the season Sunday afternoon at the Hearnes Center, following a 3-2 (16-25, 17-25, 25-18, 31-29, 15-12) triumph over Texas A&M.
Things looked bleak after two sets of play, as Mizzou trailed 2-0 in the match and were hitting negative overall. The Tigers' offense came alive in sets three and four however, hitting .433 and .431, respectively.
With all of the momentum on Mizzou's side entering the fifth set, the home team ultimately recorded a 15-12 set win and clinched the fantastic comeback.
Junior Kylie Deberg yet again paced the Mizzou offense, tallying 23 kills on .304 hitting with 13 digs. It marked her second double-double of the season. Deberg has now finished with 20-plus kills in five consecutive matches dating back to Sept. 20.
#ShowMe Top Performers vs. Texas A&M
- Deberg: 23 kills, 13 digs, 2 aces
- Andrea Fuentes: 51 assists, 8 digs, 5 kills, 2 total blocks
- Dariana Hollingsworth-Santana: 7 kills on .462 hitting, 9 digs, 2 total blocks
- Riley Sents: 14 digs, 3 assists
Hear From Interim Head Coach Joshua Taylor
On Sunday's impressive comeback win…
"Wow. This was a fun one today. I can't say enough about our team for regrouping and coming back like we did after those rough opening two sets. When you struggle like we did in sets one and two, it took a group effort from the players, coaches and even the crowd to slowly start chipping away. We regained our energy and confidence in sets three through five and I'm just so proud of everyone's hard work."
#MIZ Takeaways
- Alongside Deberg's offensive production Sunday, juniors Leketor Member-Meneh and Tyanna Omazic also poured-in double-digit kills for Mizzou. It stood as Member-Meneh's fifth match with 10-plus kills this year, while marking Omazic's seventh-such match.
- Redshirt sophomore Kayla Caffey capped off a productive week on offense, adding nine kills against the Aggies. Across the Tigers' Wednesday match at LSU and today's battle against Texas A&M, the Chicago, Illinois, native recorded 20 kills on .400 hitting.
- Hollingsworth-Santana and Sents were two of the biggest unsung heroes Sunday. Hollingsworth-Santana matched her season-high with seven kills, capped by recording the match-winning point. Sents moved to libero in set three for the Tigers and finished with a season-best 14 digs.
- After the team's tough opening two sets of play, Fuentes orchestrated a big offensive turnaround for the Tigers. Ultimately, the San Juan native produced her third match with 50-plus assists this season, while also adding on a career-high five kills.
Up Next
The Tigers stay in Mid-Missouri for a Wednesday (Oct. 9) evening matchup against Ole Miss. First serve inside the Hearnes Center is scheduled for 7 p.m. and the contest will air live on SEC Network. Fans can purchase tickets online at MUTigers.com/VBTix.
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).
