Missouri takes 2-1 lead with nearly flawless third set
I'm not sure what coach Wayne Kreklow said at the break, but it might be a speech worth saving. Missouri came out and thoroughly dominated Kansas State, 25-12, in the third set to take a 2-1 lead. The Tigers are only a set away from upsetting the No. 13-ranked Wildcats.
Missouri, after being absolutely shutdown running the highball offense in the second set, opted for a lot of quick sets and roll shots to avoid the Kansas State block. After hitting .050 in the second set, Missouri outhit KSU .344 to .026 in the third.
The Tigers also got after it at the net defensively, with at least five block-kills in the set, unofficially.
Missouri's newfound efficiency coupled with Kansas State's inability to get in-sync made the Tigers look like the nationally-ranked team. Kansas State's players were scrambling around the court, missing digs, getting blocked and generally struggling to find any modicum of consistency. Missouri, on the other hand, seemed to come up with every single play it needed.