CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - Missouri scored the biggest first-round upset in NCAA volleyball tournament history.
The Tigers upset fifth-seeded Northern Iowa in five sets late Friday. Before this year, seeded teams had been 160-0 in the opening round.
Then, roughly 17 hours later, Missouri had to face Northwestern for a chance to advance to the Sweet 16. Fatigue and an emotional letdown were concerns for the Tigers.
But Missouri showed no signs of either, rallying from a 21-17 deficit in the third set for a 3-1 victory over Northwestern, which beat 20th-ranked Arizona 3-1 in the first round.
"Anytime you go into the tournament, anybody has a chance to come out on top," said outside hitter Julianna Klein, who had 14 kills. "It's about emotion, coming out stronger and who wants it more, and that's exactly what we did. I don't think it would have mattered who we were playing. We were going to come out strong no matter what."
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The Tigers, who finished fifth in the Big 12, hit .359 to Northwestern's .252 in the 25-13, 23-25, 25-22, 25-20 victory.
After Northwestern (20-13) served aggressively and hit efficiently Friday against Arizona, Northwestern coach Keylor Chan said Missouri (22-10) served and passed better than his team.
"We weren't playing our very best, but we played really well. We just couldn't convert on some critical points," he said.
Tulsa beat 13th-seeded LSU in the tournament's other first-round upset.
Some big losses
Arizona loses five seniors: All-Pac-10 outside hitter Tiffany Owens, All-Pac-10 honorable mention setter Paige Weber, Salpointe Catholic High School product Whitney Dosty, middle blocker Kaylen Bannister and libero Danielle Holloway.
Owens is one of two players in Arizona history to record 400 kills and 400 digs in a season. Weber tied the school record for career matches started (123).
"It's hard to gain perspective when you lose in the first round, especially a senior team like us," coach Dave Rubio said Friday.
"I'm proud of the way we competed, and now we go home and wish everyone the best of luck in the tournament."
Looking ahead
All-Pac-10 honorable mention middle blocker Cursty Jackson, outside hitter Courtney Karst and libero Candace Nicholson will be key returners.
Freshman middle blocker Maddie Lozano came off the bench Friday as Arizona tried to find an offensive spark.
"Maddie provides a little more offense behind the setter," Rubio said. "Sometimes you make some changes to try some things to get a different look."
The new batch
Several freshmen could contribute next season. The incoming class features the Arizona Republic's big school player of the year, outside hitter Madison Kingdon (Phoenix Sunnyslope), who will join the Cats in the spring. Setter Chloe Mathis (La Jolla, Calif.) was named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association's Under Armour All-America first team. Kingdon is on the second team, and middle blocker Halli Amaro (Los Alamitos, Calif.) and setter/outside hitter Liz Manthei (Las Vegas) earned honorable mention. Outside hitters Shaquillah Torres (Riverside, Calif.), Taylor Arizobal (Dana Hills, Calif.) and Rachel Rhoades (San Diego) make up the rest of the class.
