Liberty University
4-5
Missouri
9-0
Liberty Falls to Undefeated Missouri, 3-1
9/12/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Liberty defeated Missouri, 25-20, in set one, but the Tigers kept their undefeated record alive, winning the final three sets in a row to down the Lady Flames, 3-1 (20-25, 25-18, 25-13, 25-23), Saturday at Appalachian State's Holmes Convocation Center.
Missouri (9-0) has swept three straight invitationals, including a perfect 3-0 showing at this weekend's Appalachian Invitational. The Lady Flames fall to 4-5 on the season after a winless weekend in Boone, N.C.
Liberty's Caroline Douglas was named to the all-tournament team for her efforts at the Appalachian Invitational.
Missouri held a .343-.214 advantage in hitting percentage, with the Tigers also leading, 9-3 in blocks and 63-50 in digs. Liberty's four aces doubled Missouri's total.
Carly Kan scored a match-high 26 kills and added 10 digs for Missouri. Kira Larson sent down 14 kills, while Regan Peltier recorded nine kills and a match-high 16 digs. Courtney Eckenrode led the Tigers with 30 assists, while Ali Kreklow had 29 assists. Alexa Ethridge checked in with 14 digs.
Douglas tallied 12 kills, while Jade Vorster and Gabrielle Vess connected for 10 kills apiece. Anna Willey posted her fifth career double-double, and third this season, contributing 40 assists and 10 digs. Margaret Latchford collected 10 digs, followed by nine by Michelle Melendez and eight from Allie Reynolds. Sirena Vorster chipped in eight kills.
Liberty led set one, 18-15, following a Vess kill. Kan scored two kills during a 3-0 Tigers run, as Missouri tied it, 18-18. Weidner sparked a five-point run with a cross-court kill, as the Lady Flames took a 23-18 lead. After two Missouri points, Vess sent down a kill before serving up a clinching ace, 25-20.
During the opening set, Missouri hit .379, compared to .357 for the Lady Flames. Three Liberty aces proved pivotal in the set. Kan sent down seven kills for the Tigers, while Vess recorded five kills.
The Tigers responded during the second session, racing out to a 16-10 lead. Liberty drew to within two, 16-14, with a four-point rally. Kan sent down five kills down the stretch, as Missouri pulled away for the 25-18 victory.
Missouri hit .375 in set two, while Liberty hit .302. Missouri also posted three blocks. Kan led all players with eight kills in the second set.
During the third set, Missouri led early, 11-2, storming to a 25-11 victory to take the lead in the match. The Tigers hit .457, while Liberty attacked at a .083 pace. Kan and Larson both scored five kills for Missouri.
Liberty held a slim, 19-18, lead late in set four. Julia Towler later sent down a kill to cap a 4-0 rally that put Missouri ahead, 22-19. Jade Vorster scored kills on each of Missouri's next three kills, and a Babcock kill sliced the deficit to 24-23. However, a Liberty error on match point sealed the Tigers' win.
The Lady Flames outhit Missouri, .195-.167 during the final set, although the Tigers held a 5-1 edge in blocks. Kan recorded six set-four kills.
Liberty next competes in the Hokie Invitational, hosted by Virginia Tech next Friday and Saturday. The Lady Flames are scheduled to face Chattanooga at 4:30 p.m., Friday, before meeting Middle Tennessee and Virginia Tech on Saturday.
