Columbia, Mo. – The University of Central Arkansas volleyball team earned a split in its final day at the Mizzou Classic, defeating Illinois State in three sets in the morning, and dropping a five-set marathon in the nightcap to Mizzou. The Sugar Bears will head straight home and take on Michigan State tomorrow in a massive home opener.
In the first set of the Illinois State match, the Sugar Bears used a gritty performance to overcome an almost certain defeat. The Sugar Bears were dead to rights when Illinois State took a 24-20 lead, forcing coach John Newberry to take a time out to talk things over and try to get some momentum on the side of UCA. That move more than paid off, as UCA went on a 5-0 run to take the lead 25-24 after being on the brink of a 1-0 set hole. Of course, the Redbirds wouldn't go away without a fight, as they would extend the match, but UCA got kills from Charleston Tidwell and Allison Holloway to end the first set in a 31-29 victory.
The second set, the Redbirds were looking to regain some momentum after UCA seemingly snatched it away. Illinois State was consistent in answering any run that the Sugar Bears had, and took a late 22-20 lead, looking to even things at a set apiece. However, the Sugar Bears dug deep and answered with a 5-0 run featuring two aces by Lilly Taylor and a kill by Tidwell to seal the set, 25-22.
The Redbirds came out in the third set and played angrily, taking an early lead, but the Sugar Bears were able to get even at nine all. From there, the Sugar Bears went on the most impressive run of the game, scoring eight of ten, and then eventually scoring seven in a row to seal an impressive sweep, winning the third set, 25-13.
The junior outside hitter Taylor tallied an impressive final stat line, totaling a team-leading 12 kills, three aces, and nine digs. Tidwell and Caylan Koons also had good performances, with Tidwell finishing with 10 kills and Koons with 34 assists.
A good start is always integral when on the road, and this is especially true when facing an SEC opponent. UCA hung tough in the early going, starting with a 2-0 lead, and responded to each run by Mizzou. The Tigers had UCA on the ropes, leading 24-22 late, but the Sugar Bears responded with a 4-0 run including a kill from Tidwell to take the first set on the road, 26-24.
In set two, the Sugar Bears found another gear, turning a 13-10 deficit to a 20-14 lead. From there, the Sugar Bears fended off a Missouri comeback bid, getting a kill from Holloway to seal the 2-0 set victory, 25-19.
Missouri needed momentum to try to swing things back in its favor, and the Tigers got just that with a 7-0 run in the middle of the third set to take a 17-11 lead. That proved to be crucial for Mizzou's comeback bid, as the Tigers seemed to seize momentum for good at that point. The Tigers went on a 5-1 run capped off by a service error by UCA to take the third set, 25-17.
It seemed that all the Tigers needed was to get a game back, because the Tigers really fed off of the home crowd and took an early 8-1 lead. The Sugar Bears did a good job of getting back in the fight, never looking shaken by any Mizzou run, and were able to get within three at 11-8. The Tigers then rattled off six straight, and that deficit would prove to be too much for the Sugar Bears to overcome, and the Tigers took the fourth set, 25-20.
The Sugar Bears had fought hard all night to that point, and the fifth set was not any different. The Tigers however, were just too much for UCA to overtake, as a 4-0 run and a 3-0 run by Mizzou were just too much for UCA to overcome in the short set. The Sugar Bears had things within two at 13-11, but the Tigers came out fresh and sealed the final set, 15-11.
The second match of the day was one that saw a great effort from the Sugar Bears that showed the mentality of the entire team, with UCA on the brink several times, the team never showed any signs of intimidation. Tidwell had her best game of the season with 14 kills, including seven in the opening frame. Koons had a stellar performance with 46 assists, her most so far this season.
A great opportunity is in front of UCA, as the Sugar Bears will head straight back to Conway and open their home slate with Michigan State tomorrow evening. The Spartans will be heading down to Conway looking for their first win of the season after dropping decisions to No. 25 Arkansas and Tulsa in Fayetteville.
UCA will be taking on Michigan State at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 27th. Fans can watch the match on ESPN+ and keep up with the game on Twitter at @UCAVball.
