Missouri volleyball returned for a brief homestand this week, as they hosted the No. 18 ranked Kentucky Wildcats. The Tigers were coming off a tough loss against Tennessee in Knoxville, 3-0, and were looking to bounce back.

The Wildcats started out strong, taking the first set 25-12. Kentucky’s dominant net play was an early issue; Mizzou tried to work from inside the court, but the Wildcats shut down several opportunities to gather early momentum.

Missouri adjusted its strategy in the second set, working from the inside to the outside. Freshman setter Riley Buckley controlled everything from the middle, setting up her strikes on the outside for perfectly positioned shots.

Hitter Kaylee Cox was the star of that set, using several directional shots to halt Wildcat’s momentum. Both squads went back and forth, but Mizzou rallied down the stretch. They harnessed the momentum of a lively crowd and came away with a close victory to even things at one set apiece.

From there, both teams settled into the game. Senior hitter Anna Dixon made several plays on the outside and became Buckley’s primary outlet when trouble struck. However, Kentucky continued to force Missouri into tough situations.

The Wildcats had several nice serves that Mizzou wasn’t prepared for; Missouri would have to recover from bad spots, often putting the ball in the center of the court. Kentucky capitalized on those opportunities and forced the Tigers onto their heels.

Missouri played strong team volleyball; senior Leandra Mangual-Duran kept the energy high even in challenging circumstances. However, the Wildcats proved too much and took the next two sets. While Missouri didn’t come away with a win on the scoreboard, they’ve harnessed some momentum against a nationally-ranked opponent as they head into their SEC schedule.