Volleyball wraps up non-conference schedule
While thousands of eyes turn to the game between Missouri and Nevada’s football teams at Faurot Field this weekend, the MU volleyball team faces its own Silver State foe when it wraps up its non-conference season in Reno, Nev. this weekend at the University of Nevada AT&T Invitational.
Friday night, Missouri (4-2) faces host Nevada, who has stumbled out to a 2-3 record in 2008. Although Nevada features the returning WAC leader in blocks in sophomore Lindsay Baldwin, Friday will likely serve as preparation for a treacherous Saturday slate.
Saturday, the Tigers square off with No. 24 Pepperdine at noon before returning to face UC-Davis at 7:00 p.m. Pepperdine sits at 6-0 entering the tournament, and UC-Davis stands at 6-1.
More than wins and losses, though, the Tigers need a strong performance this weekend to atone for the hit in national perception the team took after a third-place finish at the Spring Hill Suites at Arundel Mills Invitational in College Park, Md. last week.
Although the Tigers finished the tournament 2-1, the set-margin tiebreaker placed two other 2-1 teams – Kentucky and St. Johns – ahead of the Tigers.
One week ago, Missouri found itself receiving votes in the AVCA Coaches Top 25 Poll. But after getting thoroughly dominated by Kentucky last week in a three-set sweep, 25-21, 25-15, 25-23, the Tigers no longer appear on any of the coaches’ ballots this week.
The three-set sweep highlighted the importance of strong starts to sets under the NCAA’s new scoring rules. Missouri fell behind 10-6, 8-3 and 9-5 in each set, respectively.
With teams now playing to 25 rather than 30, quick deficits like Missouri faced against Kentucky can be a recipe for disaster. Kentucky confirmed that, but the question becomes whether or not the Tigers learned from the experience and can find a way to start sets strong this weekend.
As soon as the tournament ends, Missouri’s focus immediately turns to conference play. The Tigers open Big 12 play in Norman, Okla. against Oklahoma on Sept. 17, before finally playing their home opener against Baylor on Sept. 21.