COLUMBIA, Mo. — Vanderbilt closed out the opening weekend of SEC play with a 3-1 loss to Missouri at Hearnes Center on Sunday afternoon. The Commodores fell to 9-2 overall while the Tigers improved to 8-5.
Maya Witherspoon and Maddy Bowser both hit over .450, with Bowser remaining errorless on the attack throughout the match. Witherspoon led Vanderbilt with 16 kills, while Samantha Wunsch added 14. The Commodores totaled 52 kills across four sets, compared to 44 for Missouri.
Hailee Mack recorded 16 digs and joined forces with Witherspoon to each earn three service aces. At the net, Bowser posted four blocks, while Avery Scoggins added three. Scoggins also directed the offense with 46 of Vanderbilt's 49 assists.
After dropping the first set 25-19, Vanderbilt responded with a commanding 25-14 victory in the second to even the match. Missouri regained control with a 25-18 win in the third set before holding off a late Commodore rally for a 25-22 victory in the fourth to clinch the match.
The Commodores continue their road swing Wednesday at LSU before traveling to Ole Miss on Sunday.