The Missouri Tigers (4-3) met their match physically, falling in five sets to the Kansas State Wildcats (6-1). Mizzou rallied back after dropping the first two sets, but could not finish their comeback and would lose 10-15 in the fifth set.

Mizzou would initially take K-State by surprise with the size of their blocks. The Tigers were forcing soft swings while capitalizing on Wildcat errors to jump out to an 18-12 lead in the first set. They finished the game with 16 total blocks as well as forcing K-State into 33 attacking errors. Middle blockers Trista Strasser and Madilyn Sell would lead the way with seven blocks each.

K-State would adjust by focusing on attacking the ‘high hands’ of the Tigers’ blocks, forcing high and unplayable deflections for tool kills which would allow them to take control of the first two sets, including a 14-25 drubbing in the second set. K-State finished the game with 71 kills, 23 more than the Tigers. Four Wildcats would record double-digit kills.

With their backs against the wall, Mizzou rallied back, employing faster tempo sets and setter attacks from freshman setter Riley Buckley to put the Wildcats back on their heels and force a fifth set. Limiting their errors was critical for this comeback, as they finished with 10 less attacking errors and 9 less service errors. 

However in the fifth set, senior pin hitter Anna Dixon would commit four attacking errors, including two stuff blocks to put Mizzou in a 2-10 hole. This deficit would ultimately be too much to overcome and the Tigers would drop one set short of a comeback with a final score of 10-15.