Stepping into one of college volleyball’s toughest environments, Missouri took on top-ranked Nebraska in Lincoln on Wednesday. While the Huskers earned a 3-0 sweep (10-25, 17-25, 14-25), the Tigers had plenty of bright spots to build on ahead of SEC play.
Mizzou competed at the Bob Devaney Sports Center, with the match serving as a rescheduled event for the highly anticipated Wrigley Field clash that got rained out earlier this month.
Mizzou Standouts
Even in a tough road environment, a few Tigers made their mark.
Kimani Johnson, Grace O’Reilly and Paige Felder were Mizzou’s most consistent weapons, leading the team with five kills each. On defense, Eva Smith, O’Reilly and Felder held down the net with a total of seven blocks, while Nina Mandovic provided a steadying presence in her return to the rotation, distributing 14 assists across the board.
The loss drops the Tigers to 7-5 on the year and extends Nebraska’s ruthless all-time series lead over Mizzou to 75-3-1.
Tough First Set
Head coach Dawn Sullivan threw a bit of a curveball after the first few points of the set, with Nina Mandovic returning as setter for the first time since Sept. 11.
Early on, it looked promising.
Terminal swings from Smith and Lydia Stahley kept the teams tied up at 3-3. From there, however, Nebraska came out swinging. The Huskers launched a brutal 12-1 run fueled by Harper Murray’s lethal serves and a wall at the net anchored by Andi Jackson. Between passing breakdowns and a tough Husker block, Mizzou hit a wall, dropping the opener 25-10.
A Fighting Spirit
Frame two was Mizzou’s best volleyball of the night, as the Tigers traded blows early and kept the Huskers within striking distance until the final stretch.
After dropping the set’s opening point on an unforced service error, Mizzou got on the board when Johnson connected with Mandovic for a clean swing, cutting the score to 1-2. Trailing 1-4, coach Sullivan won her first video challenge of the set, to convert a Felder attack error into a kill and pull Mizzou within 2-3.
The Tigers used aggressive net play to hang tight as the set progressed. Smith and O’Reilly teamed up for a massive double block on Teraya Sigler to keep Mizzou within two at 6-8, and Smith joined forces with Felder three points later to shut down Virginia Adriano at 9-12.
Every time Nebraska threatened to blow the frame open, Mizzou answered with clutch offense. Stahley dialed up kills through the middle, and Johnson did the same, hammering down a shot to pull the Tigers within two at 10-12.
Following another O’Reilly and Larkin double block that brought Mizzou to 13-16, Sullivan won her second video challenge of the set, successfully overturning a Johnson attack error, making it 15-22 .
Though Mizzou battled well, Nebraska pulled away to secure a 25-17 win.
Depth Gets Reps in Closing Set
With their backs against the wall, the Tigers shuffled the lineup in Set 3 to try to spark a run, working in Maizy Agnello, Maca Lobaglio and Tia Phinezy.
Things stayed competitive early, as a Paige Felder ace and a loud bounce from Agnello had the Tigers level at 6-6.
However, Nebraska’s defense eventually came out on top. A 9-0 Husker run behind Laney Choboy’s serve broke the set open at 18-10. Phinezy provided a late highlight with an ace and a kill, but Nebraska closed the door with an attack error from Smith to wrap up the sweep with a 25-14 victory.
Stats Breakdown
Johnson, O’Reilly and Felder led Mizzou with five kills each, with Stahley and Smith adding seven more. Mandovic and Sierra Dudley split distribution duties, combining for 24 assists as Mizzou worked through 5-1 and 6-2 variations. Smith led the team with three blocks, while O’Reilly and Felder had two.
Looking Ahead
Mizzou returns to Columbia to open up SEC play at the Hearnes Center this Sunday, Sept. 27 against Vanderbilt.
