First Serve: Mizzou leaves Wrigley behind, turns toward No. 5 Louisville
· Yahoo Sports
Missouri volleyball’s night against No. 1 Nebraska lasted only 18 points, but the experience at Wrigley Field may stay with the Tigers much longer.
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Humidity made the outdoor court unsafe Sunday night, forcing the suspension of a historic matchup in front of 43,067 fans. Nebraska led 11-7 in the opening set when the match was ultimately called, leaving Missouri without the chance to complete one of the biggest regular-season matches in program history.
Still, coach Dawn Sullivan walked away grateful.
“I feel very grateful,” Sullivan said after the cancellation. “We got to play at Wrigley Field, you got to look around and see those lights, this crowd, this team, the way they showed up and the way they’re going to continue to compete this year.”
Now, Missouri turns quickly toward another top-five opponent.
The Tigers will travel to Louisville, Kentucky, on Wednesday to face No. 5 Louisville in the ACC/SEC Challenge. Missouri’s official schedule lists the match for 6 p.m. CDT at Louisville’s KFC Yum Center.
The matchup gives Missouri another immediate measuring stick after its unusual weekend against Nebraska. The Tigers entered Wrigley Field at 3-1, but Sunday’s cancellation means Sullivan’s team will have to wait for another opportunity to see how it stacks up against the nation’s top program.
Sullivan said she saw enough during the brief Nebraska matchup to believe Missouri will continue competing.
“This team’s gonna fight,” Sullivan said. “And they want to compete.”
That mentality will be necessary against Louisville.
The Cardinals own a 6-2 advantage in the all-time series and have won six consecutive matches against Missouri. The teams last met Sept. 7, 2024, when Louisville swept the Tigers 25-20, 25-21, 25-18 at a neutral site in Highland Heights, Kentucky.
Missouri has not defeated Louisville since 1984.
But Wednesday presents a different opportunity for a Tigers team still learning about itself early in the season. Missouri opened with three consecutive sweeps at the Mizzou Invitational before losing 3-1 to then-No. 25 Oregon.
The stage will look different Wednesday, but the challenge remains familiar.
Another nationally ranked opponent. Another hostile environment. Another opportunity for a young Missouri team to show that its willingness to compete can translate into results.
The Wrigley experience ended before Missouri could finish what it started. Louisville offers the Tigers another chance to start again.
The Fifth Set will return Friday previewing the Mizzou tournament, and First Serve will be back next Monday recapping the Mizzou Tournament.