The Mizzou volleyball team has rebuilt its season from the ground up, winning the last six matches in a row. The Tigers are now 6-4 in the SEC and currently the No. 7 team in the conference. For the most part the team has done this against lower-level opponents, with all six wins coming against teams ranked outside the top 40 of the RPI.
Now, Mizzou enters a haunted house when they travel to Knoxville, facing off against No. 16 Tennessee on Halloween. The Tigers have yet to win a top 25 matchup this
year, but have put themselves in the prime position with the momentum they have accumulated over the past month.
After that primetime matchup, the Tigers close the road trip with a stroll down Broadway when they face Vanderbilt for the first time in program history after the Commodores are playing their first season in 45 years.
Here’s what you need to know ahead of Mizzou’s trip to the Volunteer State.
Rocky Top
After a down year in 2024 where they finished 15-12, Tennessee has bounced back in a major way with a 16-3 record and a current top four spot in the SEC with a 7-2 conference record.
This past week the Volunteers picked up two more wins on the road, beating Mississippi State and Alabama in four sets. In both matches Tennessee had a double-digit advantage in kills, finishing with a better-than .250 hitting percentage in both matches.
Leading the offensive output is senior outside hitter Hayden Kubik with 239 kills at over four per set. She is relatively efficient for her scoring output, currently sitting with a .267 hitting percentage on the year. Kubik has finished with double-digit kills in every SEC match, recently racking up 32 in the wins against Alabama and Mississippi State. She was a major factor on defense this weekend, finishing with a season-high 17 digs in the Alabama match.
For Mizzou to pull off the upset, the block needs to limit Kubik and the rest of the Tennessee offense. Head coach Dawn Sullivan holds a 1-2 record against the Vols during her time as a Tiger, but has yet to win in Knoxville. Friday proves the perfect storm in a game that can redefine this year’s ceiling.
Music City Madness
Vanderbilt volleyball is back for the first time in 45 years, marking a huge step forward for the program. Year one has been a definite learning experience, as the Commodores are 1-9 in the SEC with their only win coming against Arkansas. While Mizzou went 2-0 against South Carolina/Georgia this past week, Vandy went 0-2 against the same opponents.
The biggest struggle for Vanderbilt came on extending points, losing the digs battle in both matches. Against Georgia they lost the battle 59-44. The defensive depth for the Commodores is a strength, but have consistently struggled to match the opponents’ libero output; which leads to a more successful offense for their foes.
One key piece of this Vanderbilt team has been graduate setter Isabella Bareford. The Loyola Marymount transfer has been the primary facilitator for the Commodore offense all season with a total of 702 assists. In addition her defense was on display with 20 digs this past weekend; bringing her up to 118 for the season.
While Mizzou is unlikely to lose this matchup, it’s important not to look past a Commodores team that possesses very clear SEC talent.
Player to Watch: Paige Felder
As Caylen Alexander continues to get better and better, the question for Mizzou has become; who will step up and help shoulder the offensive load? Tyrah Ariail and Regan Haith do a good job as middle blockers, but they can only do so much.
One player who has started to emerge is true freshman Paige Felder. The Utah native racked up 20 kills on 67 attacks in an efficient performance. She contributed on the defensive end with 13 digs over that stretch. Against Georgia Felder tamed the Bulldogs with her serve, lacing home three aces in the match.
After playing the entirety of the non-con season, Felder has been seen sparingly during SEC play. Hopefully this is a good sign for things to come, as Paige can serve as an important depth piece down the stretch for a Mizzou team that needs offensive help from various sources.
The Tigers will need all hands on deck when they challenge No. 16 Tennessee on Knoxville at 5:30 p.m. on Halloween. The game will be available to watch on SEC Network+ through the ESPN app.
