Mizzou Volleyball wrapped up the 2024 regular season with a dominant performance, sweeping Auburn 3-0 (25-18, 25-19, 25-16) and shaking off recent struggles. The Tigers had lost three of their last four matches.
Mizzou (20-8, 11-5) quickly gained control in the first set with a 5-0 run, taking a 14-9 lead, highlighted by two kills and a block assist from Mychael Vernon. Although Auburn (14-13, 4-12) narrowed the gap to three, Mizzou responded with a 3-0 run, extending their lead to 19-13, which prompted an Auburn timeout. After the break, Auburn made a brief push, but Mizzou took the set 25-18 on a service error by Peyton Dunn. The Tigers hit .295 in the set, with Vernon and Jordan Iliff each contributing five kills, while Auburn had four service errors.
In the second set, Mizzou built an 8-5 lead, but Auburn rallied with a 4-0 run, led by two kills from Madison Scheer. Mizzou quickly regained the lead with a 6-1 run, making it 14-10. Auburn closed the gap to 17-15, but Mizzou responded with two kills from Claire Morrissey and a service ace from Kiaraliz Perez Catala to go up by four. Two more aces, one from Perez Catala and another from Maya Sands, helped Mizzou to a 22-15 lead, and the Tigers sealed the set 25-19. Mizzou hit .464 in the set, with only three attack errors.
Mizzou started strong in the third set, jumping to an 8-2 lead with three kills from Iliff. A 4-0 run later in the set made it 16-7, and Mizzou extended its lead to double digits at 18-8. Auburn mounted a small comeback, going on a 6-2 run, but Mizzou finished strong, winning the final four points and securing the 25-16 set victory on Perez Catala’s third ace. The match was a celebration of Mizzou’s seniors, with all seven getting playing time, including Naomi Franco and Colleen Finney, who recorded kills during the closing run.
Mizzou hit .406 for the match, improving each set and finishing with a .517 hitting percentage in the final frame. The team limited Auburn to a .189 hitting percentage and recorded five blocks, with Regan Haith leading the way with three total blocks. Vernon and Iliff each had 14 kills, while Colleen Finney added 7 kills on a .545 hitting percentage, and Regan Haith hit .556 with 6 kills.
Marina Crownover played a key role with 38 assists, surpassing 1,000 assists for the season, and contributed eight digs.
The Tigers appear to have regained their form, entering the NCAA Tournament with renewed confidence. “When we’re on and together, we’re unstoppable,” Vernon said.
The team’s path in the NCAA Tournament will be revealed tomorrow at 5 p.m. during the selection show on ESPN.
About The Author
Leave a Reply