Jimmy Fraus
The Missouri Tigers defeated the Mississippi Bulldogs in straight sets Friday night to bring their record to 12-7 on the season and 5-1 in conference play. Mizzou was in full control throughout the entire match and showed what they are capable of when they are firing on all cylinders.
Coming into the match, the Bulldogs had a 14 set losing streak, and were looking to break that streak in the first set. Mississippi State and Missouri went back and forth in the first set with each side switching control of momentum. Alyssa Munlyn’s four kills coupled with multiple errors by the Bulldogs were enough to extend Mississippi State’s losing streak to 15 sets.
The rest of the match was all Tigers from there. The second half was physically dominated by kills and blocks from Mizzou. Missouri’s athleticism gave them a 2-0 set lead in the match and they didn’t stop there.
In the third set. Munlyn and the Tigers concluded their path to victory with a 25-20 win in the third set. This story of this set was the run by Mizzou at the end of the game. Mississippi State only got 7 of the final 19 points to finish off the match after the set was tied at 13 midway through. The Hearnes roared as the Tigers finished off the last point and ended the match early in straight sets. The Bulldogs just didn’t have the firepower or talent to hang with the Tigers and fell to 9-12 overall and 0-6 in conference play.
The bright spot for Mississippi State was a 12 kill performance from Vujcin, leading both teams on the night.
Munlyn and Larson finished the game as the Tiger’s kill leaders, with Munlyn boasting a .875 kill percentage, also leading the team.
Mississippi State will look for their first conference win this Sunday at home against Georgia, who is 2-5 in SEC play.
Mizzou will look to continue their hot start in conference when they travel to Knoxville to face Tennessee this Sunday. Tennessee is coming off a win against Georgia on the road Wednesday night.