BUFFS FALL TO NO. 24 MISSOURI

Wednesday, October 22

Columbia, Mo.

6:00 p.m.

Colorado

Missouri

Photo by: CUBuffs.com

October 22, 2003 | Volleyball

By: CUBuffs.com

COLUMBIA, Mo. ? The University of Colorado was swept by a ranked opponent for the second straight match as No. 24 University of Missouri defeated the Buffs 31-29, 30-27, 30-25 in Big 12 Conference action on Wednesday evening at the Hearnes Center.

CU drops to 13-7 overall and 5-5 in the Big 12. Missouri improves to 15-4 overall, 8-2 in league play. Five of the Buffs' seven losses this year have come against Top 25 teams. CU has dropped nine straight against ranked opponents dating back to a win over No. 17 Texas A&M University early last season.

Sophomore middle blocker Allie Griffin led all players with 14 kills and hit .379, recording only three errors on 29 total attempts. Sophomore outside hitter Maragda Santillana had 11 kills while Nicole Carr had a match-high 12 digs. Jessica Vander Kooi and Lindsey Noll each had 10 kills for Missouri.

Missouri's blocking tandem of Vander Kooi and Nicole Wilson were key to the match. The duo combined for 12 blocks in the match and the Tigers had 17 team blocks overall. CU hit just .184 in the match finishing with 50 kills and 27 errors on 125 attacks.

“We're making a lot of mistakes right now,” CU head coach Pi'i Aiu said. “Right now all we need to do is play better. When we have opportunities, we're not capitalizing on them and we've got to change that.”

The Buffs were in all three games but let late leads slide. CU fought off two game points in game one to tie the game at 29, but the Tigers promptly ended the game with two quick points of their own.

In game two, the Buffs seemed to turn the momentum their way, building a 27-23 lead. The Tigers had other ideas though, scoring the last seven points of the game to take a 2-0 match lead. CU was down 15-10 in game three, fought back to take a 20-17 lead only to fall 30-25.

Colorado will begin the second half of the Big 12 season on Friday, October 24, against the University of Kansas at 7 p.m. at the Coors Events Conference Center.