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Olivia Sayer
Georgia outside hitter Kacie Evans (23) readies to pass the ball during the volleyball match between Georgia and Auburn at Stegeman Coliseum in Athens, Georgia on Oct. 28, 2023. (Photo/Laney Martin;@LaneyMartinPhotography)
Georgia volleyball lost to Missouri in five sets Sunday at Hearnes Center. The loss dropped the Bulldogs to 15-9 on the season and 6-6 in SEC play.
Graduate Kacie Evans recorded a stunning 27 kills, which put her over the 20-kill mark for the first time this season. Senior Sophie Fischer had 18 kills and seven blocks, while sophomore Estelle Haugen contributed with eight kills and two blocks.
Evans also hit .388 on the outside with seven digs and three blocks, while Haugen hit at a .400 clip.
The juniors also put on a show, as Clara Brower tied career highs with 59 assists and five kills, and Bailey Cox led the team with 13 digs.
The Bulldogs started the match on fire, building a 13-8 lead that was wrapped with an ace from redshirt-freshman Ana Julia Bleeker. Following a media timeout, Georgia stayed dominant and won the set 25-16. The Bulldogs hit .538 with no errors, hoping to set the tone for the rest of the afternoon.
Trailing 4-3 in the second set, Georgia rallied behind three straight points to go up 6-4. Both teams battled, until Missouri got a second wind and won five straight points to lead 17-14. With Missouri leading 21-17, the Bulldogs used both of their timeouts to regroup. Georgia caught its breath and cut Missouri’s lead to one. However, it was too little, too late and the Tigers won the set 25-23.
Missouri carried its hot streak into the third set, as Georgia found itself down 6-2 early. Not ready to concede the win, the Bulldogs won six of the next seven points to tie it at nine. For the next few minutes, Georgia and Missouri went point-for-point, until the Bulldogs eventually took the lead 17-16. It was quickly relinquished, however, as a 4-0 run by the Tigers put them back in front.
Both teams continued to battle until Georgia drew set point at 25. The Tigers then drew set point at 26, 27 and 28. A monster block by Haugen and Evans once again gave Georgia set point at 29, and a Fischer kill with a Haugen ace gave the Bulldogs a hard-earned 31-29 set victory.
Georgia found itself down 6-3 early in the fourth set. Evans sparked a 6-0 run by the Bulldogs with her four kills to give Georgia a 9-6 lead. After a quick break, Missouri responded with a 3-0 run to tie it at nine. Three straight blocks from the Tigers gave them a three point lead, while a 3-0 run by the Bulldogs cut the lead to 21-19. Missouri drew set point, but a kill by Fischer kept the Bulldogs alive. Missouri was eventually able to shut the door and win the set 25-23.
Both teams rose to the occasion in the winner-take-all fifth set. Missouri and Georgia went point-for-point until the Tigers pulled ahead 8-7. A 3-0 run from the Bulldogs put them in front 10-8, but a couple of errors would later prove detrimental. Missouri won four of the next five points to go in front 12-11. While Evans’ 27th kill delayed the Tiger victory, Missouri held on to win the set 15-13 and the match 3-2.
Georgia next travels to Knoxville to take on No.10 Tennessee Nov. 10 at Thompson-Boling Arena. First serve is set for 6:30 p.m.