Tigers fall to No. 12 Longhorns

The Tigers fell to 1-2 in conference play with the loss.

By Zach Dischiano

Published Sept. 24, 2010

The Missouri volleyball team fell to No. 12 Texas on Wednesday, dropping its season record to 9-4.

The box score at Wednesday night's game was deceiving, as the Tigers played very closely to the Longhorns despite only winning one set. Like its last match against Iowa State, Missouri played well early and won the first set. The final score was 27-25 as the Tigers had some difficulty putting away the Longhorns in the closing points of the set.

Missouri played just as hard in the second set as it did the first, keeping Texas in check the majority of the set. The Tigers looked to be in good shape heading into the final stretch of the set, holding on to a 19-18 lead. The Longhorns proceeded to score seven out of the next eight points to take the set, 25-20.

"We played our first 20 points very well," coach Wayne Kreklow said. "We have to learn how to play the last five the same way we played the first 20."

After the Longhorns evened out the series, the Tigers looked to retaliate with a win of their own. The third set was back and forth the whole way, as there were 18 ties and nine lead changes, and no team led by more than two points the entire set. It was a hard-fought battle but someone had to come out victorious, and for the second set in a row, it was the Texas Longhorns.

"We played really well," senior outside hitter Julianna Klein said. "There were a couple of spots where we just dropped with our consistency. We couldn't get to the end and finish it out."

Missouri continued to play with heart as it kept the fourth set close, scoring six out of the last nine points. Unfortunately, the Tigers' late efforts were not enough to take down the Longhorns, who won the final set, 25-21.

Longhorn outside hitter Juliann Faucette dominated for Texas, tallying 22 kills on .280 hitting. Freshman setter Hannah Allison was also a big part in Texas' win, posting 58 assists on the night.

Three Tigers recorded 10 or more kills, with junior middle blocker Brittney Brimmage finishing with 10, Klein finishing with 14 and senior outside hitter Paola Ampudia with 15. Senior middle blocker Catie Wilson had a strong showing, with seven kills on .333 hitting to go with her six blocks and six digs.

"I think it was one of my better games this season," Wilson said. "I've hit kind of a rough patch the last couple of weeks, but I've been practicing all the little things. I could have done a couple of things better, but I'd say I had a good night tonight."

With the loss, the Tigers move to 9-4 on the season and 0-2 in Big 12 play. Missouri will look to rebound Saturday against the Kansas State Wildcats in Manhattan, Kan.