Mizzou Volleyball’s SEC Title Hopes Crumble in Shocking Loss to Mississippi State

The Missouri Tigers’ volleyball team came into the final stretch of their SEC schedule with hopes of securing a coveted conference title, but those dreams were dashed in a stunning 3-1 upset at the hands of Mississippi State on Sunday. The defeat, which ended in a 25-19, 20-25, 22-25, 24-26 scoreline, signaled a bitter blow to the Tigers’ championship aspirations and raised serious concerns about their consistency and execution moving forward.

A Promising Start Derailed

The match against Mississippi State initially offered hope as the Tigers came out strong, grabbing an early 5-0 lead in set one. Jordan Iliff was at the center of the Tigers’ opening success, showcasing her ability with a kill and a solo block that helped establish the early advantage. The Tigers, who had struggled with inconsistency in recent matches, seemed to have found their rhythm.

However, Mississippi State slowly chipped away at Mizzou’s lead, eventually narrowing the gap to 12-9 on a kill from Kailin Newsome. Despite this, Mizzou responded with a strong 6-2 streak, leading by 18-11. The Bulldogs mounted a final push with a 3-0 run, but the Tigers’ offense was sharp enough to close out the first set. A kill from Colleen Finney secured a 25-19 set victory for Mizzou.

Jordan Iliff finished the first set on fire, recording seven kills with a .385 hitting percentage, an ace, and a solo block, setting a high bar for the team. Yet, this moment of brilliance would not be enough to stave off what was to come.

Struggles Across the Board

Set two was a stark contrast to the first, as Mississippi State turned the tables, coming out with renewed determination. The Bulldogs stormed to an early 6-3 lead with three kills from Amina Shackelford, and by the time they went on a 4-0 run to make it 10-4, the Tigers were already on the backfoot.

Despite a late rally from Mizzou, who managed a 4-0 and a 3-0 run to reduce the deficit, they could not recover fully from their earlier mistakes. A late attack error from Mychael Vernon handed Mississippi State the second set 25-20. The Tigers’ offensive woes were evident in this set as they committed eight attack errors, significantly hampering their chances of holding off the Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs’ Momentum

The Bulldogs’ momentum carried over into set three, where they quickly established a dominant 9-2 lead. Mizzou, however, showed resilience, managing to pull off a 7-0 run with four kills and a block from Iliff, which tied the set at 12-12. From there, it was a back-and-forth affair, with the teams trading blows and the score remaining close.

Despite their best efforts, Mizzou found themselves trailing 22-19 after a series of three key kills from Karli Schmidt, who provided the Bulldogs with the crucial advantage. Though the Tigers managed to fight back and get within one point at 23-22 following a Rebecca Walk attack error, Mississippi State finished strong, winning the set 25-22 and taking a 2-1 lead in the match.

The Final Set: Clutch Performance from Mississippi State

In set four, Mississippi State again seized control early, using a 7-0 run sparked by two service aces from Mele Corral-Blagojevich to take a 13-7 advantage. The Tigers continued to battle, cutting the deficit to two on a kill from Claire Morrissey, a top-five national recruit who had seen limited playing time this season. Morrissey’s entry into the match highlighted Mizzou’s struggles, as the decision to substitute her in for the struggling Janet deMarrais was a reflection of how much the team was searching for answers.

As the set progressed, the Tigers showed fight, ultimately tying the game at 21-21 after a 6-1 run. But in the closing moments, Mississippi State remained the stronger side, with the Bulldogs’ clutch play in the final points pushing them to a 26-24 victory, clinching the upset.

Key Struggles and Missed Opportunities

Looking back on the match, it was clear that Mizzou’s inability to maintain offensive consistency played a major role in their loss. The Tigers hit just .232 for the match, and while they recorded a hitting percentage above .270 in three of the four sets, their struggles in the second set, where they hit a woeful .070, were insurmountable. The performance of the team’s primary hitters, including Iliff, Vernon, and deMarrais, was another factor in the loss. Iliff and Vernon, while contributing solid efforts with 14 and 15 kills respectively, each struggled with their hitting percentages, recording just .160 and .190 in that department. Meanwhile, deMarrais’s performance was especially troubling—she ended the match with a negative hitting percentage of -.040, committing six attack errors and only five kills.

Freshman Claire Morrissey’s standout performance in the fourth set—where she hit .667 with six kills and one block—was one of the few bright spots in an otherwise frustrating match. Yet, the decision to bring Morrissey into the match highlighted just how much Mizzou was struggling to find the right mix and rhythm.

At setter, both Marina Crownover and Sierra Dudley continued to rotate in and out of the match, both failing to find a consistent rhythm to set up their teammates. This rotation of setters became a glaring issue, as the lack of continuity in the offense hindered Mizzou’s ability to capitalize on their attacking opportunities.

On the defensive side, the Tigers’ middle blockers were a rare bright spot. Colleen Finney and Regan Haith both recorded double-digit kills and hit an impressive .360 or above. Haith also added five blocks, and the team tallied double-digit blocks for the fourth consecutive match. However, these strong defensive efforts were not enough to overcome the offensive inconsistencies.

What’s Next for Mizzou?

With their hopes of winning an SEC title dashed, Mizzou now faces a crucial week ahead as they wrap up their regular season. The Tigers still have two matches remaining, including a challenging matchup against the #12 Kentucky Wildcats. These two matches will play a major role in determining Mizzou’s NCAA Tournament seeding, as they fight for either a favorable five-seed or a tough first-round matchup as a seven-seed.

The upcoming game against Kentucky will be critical in deciding the direction of Mizzou’s season. A win would go a long way in providing a strong boost for the Tigers’ confidence heading into the postseason. However, a loss could leave the team with more questions than answers, and a first-round exit could be a real possibility.

With the season now in peril, the Tigers will need to dig deep and find a way to answer their lingering questions about consistency, leadership, and offensive execution. Time is running out, and the clock is ticking down to what could be a make-or-break finish for Mizzou Volleyball.

The Wildcats will visit the Hearnes Center on Wednesday night at 7 p.m., with the game being broadcast on SEC Network+. The Tigers’ performance in this game could determine their postseason destiny, making this match an all-important one in their battle to salvage a disappointing season.