COLUMBIA, MO – Louisville and Missouri volleyball both came into Sunday’s match undefeated at 5-0, and the No. 3 ranked Cardinals came out on top. The Cardinals soared past the Tigers 3-0, but the game was much closer than the score indicates.
Despite the Mizzou student section attempting to distract with loud noises, Louisville took care of business in the first set with a 25-10 win. The Cardinals continuously exploited holes in the Tigers’ back row, preventing Missouri from getting a consistent rally going.
The Tiger’s hurt themselves in the first set, too, racking up nine team errors. Missouri only managed one block, which came from middle blocker Morgan Isenberg. The most striking difference between the two teams was Louisville’s 0.525 hitting percentage compared to the Tiger’s -0.74 percent.
The second set started with a powerful kill by Morgan Isenberg and a block from Colleen Finney, which set the tone for a much more competitive set. The Cardinals ended up winning 25-20, but the Tigers made them work for it. There was a far greater sense of urgency than the first set, which was a welcoming sight.
Missouri brought its hitting percentage up to 0.143 and limited their errors to four while forcing the Cardinals into six. Outside hitter Dilara Gedikoglu had three kills in this set. With Louisville up 19-17, Gedikoglu pushed the ball right back into the faces of Louisville’s front line for a huge block.
Missouri teammates celebrate at the Hearnes Center, Sunday, Sept. 3, 2023 in Columbia, Mo. Photo: Thomas Raymond/The Maneater
The third set, similarly to the second, was extremely close throughout, with the Tigers up 23-20 at one point, keeping the anxious crowd on their feet. However, Missouri could not close the door, as the Tigers eventually fell 26-24.
The Tigers played the third-ranked team in the country close and have some positives they can take away from the game. Right side hitter Jordan Iliff, for example, continued to lead the charge with a team-high nine kills that showcased her power. The Tigers forced Louisville to feel the pressure; the Cardinals found themselves hitting balls into the net and out of bounds, especially in the third set.
Overall, Missouri put up a strong fight against one of the best teams in the country, especially considering how much Louisville out-matched them physically. Through these first six games, first year coach Dawn Sullivan clearly has a team that will fight and play with passion. The Tigers will travel to Cincinnati, OH to play Buffalo in the Xavier Tournament on Friday, Sept. 8 at 10 a.m.