The Missouri Tigers (7-3) sweep the Central Michigan Chippewas (6-4) to finish their slate of non-conference matchups and Butler University’s Bulldog Brawl. All three sets went down to the wire, but the Tigers shut the door each time to put away the Chippewas and add to their win column. 

Kaylee Cox and Anna Dixon continue to prove their mettle as dangerous pin hitters for Missouri, combining for 22 kills and seven blocks. Anna Dixon played on the right side today, allowing Freshman Outside Janet deMarris to get some opportunities. deMarris totaled seven kills but also accumulated six errors.

Anna Dixon’s versatility has allowed Missouri to tinker with their lineups, playing the left-handed Jordan Iliff at right side when Anna Dixon plays outside. It remains to be seen whether deMarris or Iliff will be the third pin hitter when the Tigers open SEC play, though the Tigers have opted for the latter on more sets. 

Offensive production from Mizzou middles has been sporadic, but defensively Madilyn Sell and Trista Strasser spearhead a formidable block. Sell led the way for the Tigers today with six blocks. Maintaining a big block will be critical for the Tigers entering SEC play, where taller and more athletic hitters will test their swings. 

Leandra Mangual-Duran has settled nicely into the libero position for the Tigers. Mangual-Duran has consistently been listed as an outside hitter for Missouri, but on the court she has more than earned her libero spot. Today, like most games, she led the team in digs with 16. 

Skylar Buckley earned another starting spot at defensive specialist, joining Lauren Forbes as back row substitutions for Missouri pin hitters. The two combined for 20 digs in this game. Forbes has consistently been a defensive sub for the Tigers, however Buckley has fought for time against Estella Zatechka for the second spot. Skylar Buckley has more sets logged than Estella Zatechka and Head Coach Joshua Taylor has opted for Buckley in these last few sets of the Bulldog Brawl. 

Jasmine Dulan has operated as a serving substitution for Mizzou middle blockers in her time as a Freshman. Today she posted her first two ace game while providing two digs in the back row. As substitutions are limited in volleyball, it will be interesting to see whether she keeps her role in SEC play.

With a 7-3 record, the Tigers enter conference play next week against the Tennessee Volunteers (6-6). They look to outperform their 10th out of 12th ranking in the preseason poll and suppress the black mark of their disappointing 5-26 2021 campaign.