LINCOLN, NE – The UNI volleyball team took on the Tigers of Missouri in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday afternoon, falling in three sets with scores of 11-25, 13-25, 14-25.
The Panthers struggled offensively on Friday night, getting down early in the first set. The Tigers who entered the weekend hitting .303 as a team, finished with a .333 hitting percentage in the first set, putting the Panthers down early. Senior outside hitter, Karlie Taylor, led the Panther attach with four kills on nine swings while also recording a set high 3 digs.
The Panthers trailed the Tigers 0-4 to start the second set and were unable to mount a significant comeback, falling 13-25. Kate Busswitz finished with a .556 hitting percentage in set two, recording 5 kills on 9 swings. The Panthers again were unable to mount an offensive attack in the third set, and dropped the set 14-25.
UNI struggled to get around the Tiger block offensively and were out blocked 7-17. The Panthers recorded a single solo block and 6 block assists while Missouri recorded 3 solo blocks and 14 block assists. The Panthers were held to .030 hitting while Missouri continued its dominant play, finishing with a .363 hitting percentage.
KEY STATS
– Karlie Taylor finished with a team high 8 kills and 10 digs
– Abbi Staack recorded 10 digs
– Rachel Koop tallied 17 assists
