The Missouri Tigers (7-4) are swept by the Tennessee Volunteers (7-6) to open SEC play for both teams. The Tigers were unable to snag a victory against a short-handed Vols team missing their starting libero. Blocking, previously seen as a strength for Missouri, was in short supply as Tennessee swung away to the tune of a .481 team hitting percentage. 

Erykah Lovett of Tennessee racked up 15 kills for the Vols with a stellar .667 hitting percentage. This performance was in stark contrast to Tennessee’s previous matchup where Lovett hit -.273 with two kills and eight errors. Lovett had 15 attacking attempts before recording her only error of the contest, spearheading an efficient performance for the Vols. The Tigers also lacked answers for Morghan Fingall who chipped in 12 kills from the right side. 

The quick tempo of Tennessee’s offense left Missouri blockers dazed and confused. Far too often were the Tigers caught a step behind quick sets and setter dumps from Natalie Hayward. Hayward tallied seven kills from her setter position while also putting up 35 assists in an offensive showcase. Her game management would limit the Tigers to only two blocks, a season low. 

On the flip side, Missouri struggled to find offense outside of Kaylee Cox who recorded 16 kills in the losing effort. Head Coach Thomas Booker opted for Freshman Janet deMarrais as his third pin hitter, who finished with a .000 hitting percentage on seven kills and seven errors; two of which were back-to-back blocked attacks that ended the third set. Anna Dixon logged another game at right side, mustering only six kills. 

Setter Riley Buckley seemed to lack options at times. She tended to force setter dumps when Kaylee Cox was not available as a hitter. Offense out of her middle blockers relied on tips and shots due to the size of their opponent. The Tigers will need to find more options on offense and ensure Buckley has a number one option in every rotation.

Missouri could have certainly used a victory in this matchup before battling against the No. 13 ranked Kentucky next week. The Kentucky Wildcats (5-4) were projected to be at the top of the SEC in the preseason coaches poll. They’ll do battle at home in the Hearnes Center for their Gold Rush event on Wednesday, September 28th at 6 pm.