The Arkansas Red Wolves volleyball team took on the #16 ranked team in the nation, the Mizzou Tigers. The Red Wolves came into Game 1 with a 1-2 record. This is the first time the Tigers have been to Jonesboro since 1988.

 Mizzou took the first set from the Red Wolves 26-24. A-State and Mizzou were even in terms of kills in the first set with 13 apiece. The only stat Mizzou controlled in the first set was blocks. 

Arkansas State took set two 25-16. The Red Wolves posted 14 kills, .344% hitting percentage, and 3 blocks during this set. They dominated in every major stat going into set three. With both sides exchanging momentum, the Red Wolves leaned on their balance and depth. A-State’s front row delivered key blocks in critical moments, while the backcourt defense kept rallies alive. Mizzou took the 3rd set, with the final score of 25-19, with 15 kills, 36 attack attempts.

A-State dominated the fourth set with 16 kills, two blocks, and one ace. The set ended 25-22. The Red Wolves setters were dominant up to this point making key plays and dominating the assists numbers in the game. 

During the fifth and final set Arkansas State Volleyball made history. The Red Wolves beat the Tigers 15-11, and made history with this historic upset. Outside hitter Kaitlin Whitlock was too much for the Tigers to handle. Whitlock posted 19 kills with a .333% hitting percentage on the night. The Tigers had no answer for her in this loss to the Red Wolves.  

“I think we play fifth sets really well,” middle blocker Daedriana Cail said. “We do huddle together, like we all had the mentality of we were going to win this set regardless of anything. Like, yes, we make errors, but it didn’t stop us from keep pushing and keep grinding”

Coach Brian Gerwig  praised his team, saying the team was communicating at a high level in a crucial time.

 Gerwig said “I don’t know if the media caught it or anybody noticed,  but the team huddled together and I didn’t have to go there, over there and say anything like they were motivated.” 

A-State fell to the Tigers in a five set match at Blazer Arena. After a back and forth beginning in the first set, many errors by the Red Wolves led them to fall 25-19 in the first set.

While the Red Wolves fell early on in the second set, they came back on multiple scoring runs, leading A-State to tie the match 1-1 after winning set two 25-21.

The Tigers won another set with the help from multiple scoring streaks. The third set ended before the Red Wolves could reach 20 points, ending set three 25-18.

Arkansas State went on a 7-0 run to start set four and keep a safe lead for the rest of the set. The Tigers got close at the end of the set but the Red Wolves closed out set four with a 25-21 win.

After a back and forth fifth set, the Red Wolves were ahead 10-8 before the Tigers scored four in a row. A-State managed to tie it up at 12-12 but Mizzou ultimately won the match 15-12. 

The Red Wolves are 2-3 on the season and face off against Florida Atlantic at 10 a.m. in Orlando on Friday.

Categories: Sports