COLUMBIA, Mo. – Despite facing an early deficit, the University of Missouri volleyball team battled from behind to defeat Northern Kentucky, 3-2, in the Tigers’ opening match of the season at the Coyote Invitational in Vermillion, S.D.
Mizzou (1-0) dropped the opening two sets by 21-25 and 24-26 margins before surging back to win three-straight sets, 25-20, 25-33 and 15-8. Senior Anna Dixon and sophomore Jordan Iliff paced the Tigers with 14 kills, while sophomore Kaylee Cox rounded out the trio in double-digits with 13.
For Northern Kentucky (0-2), Anna Brinkmann had 16 kills and Reilly Briggs contributed 14.
TOP TIGERS
#MIZ TAKEAWAYS
- Freshman Riley Buckley paced the Tigers with an impressive 45 assists in her collegiate debut.
- Buckley and Cox both recorded double-doubles in the opener. It was the first of Buckley’s career and ninth for Cox. Dating back to the end of the 2021 season, Cox has five-consecutive double-doubles.
- At the net the Tigers had a total of 16 blocks with a trio of performers recording career highs. Sophomore Trista Strasser recorded a match-best 10. Cox and Iliff had eight and four, respectively.
- Mizzou’s 16 blocks are the most in a match for the Tigers’ since the team had 17 against Towson Sept. 7, 2018.
FROM THE BENCH
Coach Taylor on tonight’s effort
“Tonight was a battle. I am proud of the way the group reset and came out after going down 2-0. We had moments where we saw how good of volleyball we can play. Looking forward to our next opportunity tomorrow afternoon.”
UP NEXT
The Tigers continue action at the Coyote Invitational…
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