University of Missouri
2-1 (2-1SEC)
(#3) Kentucky
3-0 (3-0SEC)
No. 9 Mizzou Volleyball Falls Short to No. 3 Kentucky in Fall Home Opener
10/28/2020 11:53:00 PM | Volleyball
Epic second set proves to be difference maker, as Wildcats carry momentum rest of the match
COLUMBIA, Mo. – No. 9 Mizzou Volleyball (2-1) fell to No. 3 Kentucky on Wednesday in its fall home-opener at the Hearnes Center, 3-1 (25-23, 33-35, 20-25, 18-25). Senior OH Kylie Deberg and sophomore OH Anna Dixon led the Tigers' offense for a combined 40 kills.
Deberg showed off her versatility against the Wildcats, tallying a double-double with 22 kills and 11 digs. Dixon exploded with 18 kills, surpassing her previous season-high of 11. Redshirt junior S Andrea Fuentes presented another strong effort Wednesday, ending the match with a season-high 48 assists.
Anchoring the back row, freshman DS Emily Brown posted a match-high 16 digs while also securing a season-high two aces. Sophomore OH Kenna Sauer rounded out the Tigers' solid individual performances despite the loss, producing a career-high 12 kills.
#ShowMe Top Performers vs. No. 3 Kentucky
- Deberg: 22 kills, 11 digs, 3 aces
- Dixon: 18 kills on .324 hitting
- Sauer: 12 kills, 6 digs, 2 total blocks
- Fuentes: 48 assists, 7 digs, 1 kill
- Brown: 16 digs, 4 assists, 2 aces
- Dariana Hollingsworth-Santana: 4 kills on .333 hitting
Hear From Head Coach Joshua Taylor
On Wednesday's series opener against No. 3 Kentucky…
"This was a battle of two great teams tonight. This match was really decided after that marathon of a second set. Both teams were battling so hard and leaving it all out on the floor. I think if we came out on top that second set, we would've carried that big momentum the rest of the way and things could've been a lot different at the end. You have to give credit to Kentucky for ultimately taking that second set and then playing well the rest of the way. I expect another closely contested match Thursday and I think if we make some adjustments, we'll be ready to come out on top."
#MIZ Takeaways
- All 13 Tigers received playing time in their opener against the Wildcats. Redshirt junior S Jaden Newsome, sophomore MB Claudia Dillon and sophomore DS Leandra Mangual-Duran all made their fall 2020 season debuts.
- Newsome registered five assists and three digs, while Dillon recorded three kills and two total blocks.
- In the third set Wednesday, redshirt junior MB Anna D'Cruz earned her 100th career total block. Overall on the night, the Atlanta native posted two total blocks (one solo) and two kills.
- Deberg's 22 kills matched her season-high output, tying her performance in Mizzou's season opener at Alabama (Oct. 21).
Up Next
Mizzou and No. 3 Kentucky conclude its midweek series Thursday evening inside the Hearnes Center. First serve is slated for 8 p.m. CT and the match will once again broadcast live on ESPNU.
Single-game and season tickets for the 2020-21 Mizzou campaign are available for purchase at MUTigers.com/VBTix. Tiger fans can also call the Mizzou Athletics Ticket Office at 1-800-CAT-PAWS.
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).
