The 11th ranked Missouri volleyball team wanted to exorcise a couple of demons on Sunday, as they hosted 10th ranked Texas. The last time the Tigers played, they let a two-games-to-none lead slip through their fingers and lost to top-ranked Nebraska in Lincoln. That was a week ago. Demon number two: On October 12, the Tigers were swept by the Longhorns in Austin.
Exorcism complete.
The Tigers swept Texas (30-28, 30-22, 30-28) in a hard-fought win. Sophomore outside hitter Na Yang tied a career high with 21 kills on Sunday. Senior Shen Danru added 14 and had eight digs. Jessica Vander Kooi had 14 kills and a team-high nine digs.
In game one, Mizzou and Texas were neck-and-neck, with neither team leading by more than three. The Tigers trailed the Longhorns 16-13 and eventually trailed 25-22. Down 28-27. Nicole Wilson scored on a kill, to give serve back to the Tigers and tie it at 28-all. An attack error by Texas gave MU at 29-28 lead and Abbie Booth’s service ace won the game for the Tigers.
Game two was a bit easier for the Tigers, though they needed a late surge to put it away. Texas cut Mizzou’s lead to 24-21, before MU went on a 6-1 run to end the game.
The Tigers trailed late, down 27-25, but Shen Danru recorded three of her kills in the Tigers final five points, including the game-winner.
With the win, MU improved to 20-4 on the season and 14-4 in the Big 12, while Texas fell to 21-4 and 15-3.