Volleyball Edges Xavier to Wrap First Road Trip

CINCINNATI – The University of Missouri Volleyball team (7-2) concluded its first road trip of the 2023 season with a five-set victory (25-14, 21-25, 16-25, 25-23, 15-8) over the Xavier Tournament host, Musketeers (4-4), Saturday afternoon at the Cintas Center.

With the win, Mizzou finished the Xavier Tournament with a 2-1 mark. 

Middle blocker Morgan Isenberg led a trio of Tiger terminators in double figures Saturday, compiling a career-best 16 kills on a .444 hitting percentage with three blocks and a dig. 

Dilara Gedikoglu and Jordan Iliff each chipped in 14 kills. Gedikoglu finished with a double-double, her third at Mizzou, compiling 13 digs to go with two blocks, two aces and an assist. 

FIRST SET (25-14 Mizzou, Mizzou leads 1-0)

The Tigers took the opening set Saturday, posting a team hitting percentage of .286.

Trailing 5-2, Mizzou went on a 4-0 run that featured kills by Isenberg and Janet deMarrais along with consecutive aces from Gedikoglu for a 9-7 edge. 

The Tigers then utilized a pair of 6-0 rallies to claim the frame.

A trio of Mizzou kills coupled with three Xavier miscues increased the visitor’s lead to 16-10. 

Missouri then wrapped the set, 25-14, after another string of six unanswered points that featured three-straight aces from freshman setter Sierra Dudley and rally stoppers by Isenberg and Gedikoglu.

Isenberg led the Tigers in set #1 with four kills on a stellar .800 clip. 

SECOND SET (25-21 Xavier, Match tied 1-1)

Down 8-6, the Tigers took the next six points to take a slight 12-8…