Mizzou Volleyball reignited its rivalry with former Big 12 Conference rival No. 19 Kansas in its 2017 NCAA Tournament opener Friday inside Charles Koch Arena. The Tigers ultimately prevailed, 3-2 (25-23, 15-25, 25-15, 20-25, 15-10), over the Jayhawks in a thrilling first round matchup.
The five-set victory advances Mizzou to the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the third consecutive year. The Tigers have at least reached the second round of NCAA postseason play in each of their past four appearances (2013, 15-17).
Mizzou will face 20th ranked Wichita State Saturday night.
Missouri State’s historic 2017 volleyball season came to an end Friday afternoon in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at D.J. Sokol Arena, as 12th-ranked Michigan State handed the No. 25 Bears a 25-19, 25-11, 25-15 loss.
The Bears (28-6) finished the year with the school’s most victories since 1982, claimed the Missouri Valley Conference regular season and tournament titles in unbeaten fashion, and took a 21-match win streak to the NCAA Tournament. Missouri State’s senior class of Lauren Boone, Brianne Dixon, Lily Johnson and Lynsey Wright left their mark with three trips to the NCAA Tournament, three combined MVC titles, 98 total victories, and the program’s first top-25 ranking since 2003.