University of Tennessee Athletics
Friday, February 12
Knoxville
6:30 PM
University of Tennessee
vs
Missouri
Volleyball Preview: Tennessee Opens Spring Slate vs. #16 Missouri
February 11, 2021 | Volleyball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – For the first time in program history, the Lady Vol volleyball team will play in-season matches during the spring semester as they welcome No. 16 Missouri to Thompson-Boling Arena on Friday and Saturday.
First serve for both matches this weekend is slated for 6:30 p.m. ET.
BROADCAST INFO
Both matches can be streamed on SEC Network+, with Will Boling (play-by-play) and Heather Harrington (color) calling the action.
Harrington is a Tennessee volleyball alum and played on the Lady Vols' 2005 team that reached the national semifinals.
THE ODYSSEY
The 2020-21 season continues for Tennessee as they join the rest of the SEC in finishing the season in the spring. Due to COVID-19 precautions, the Southeastern Conference's volleyball programs played a shortened fall calendar consisting of eight matches.
The league and its teams have returned this spring to close out the year, playing 16 matches.
DELAYED START
Originally, UT was scheduled to begin the spring slate February 5 and 6 at Texas A&M, but had those matches postponed due to a positive COVID-19 test and contact tracing within the Aggie program.
The postponement was the first for the Lady Vols since Hurricane Irma forced the cancellation of three matches in September of 2017. Over the past 25 years, Tennessee has had 11 matches canceled or postponed.
LAST TIME OUT
Tennessee last played on November 18 and 19 at Auburn. The Lady Vols swept both matches to improve to 4-4 (4-4 SEC) on the year.
Junior Lily Felts was named the SEC Player of the Week following to two match sweep. The Knoxville native totaled 31 kills, hit .296, recorded 14 digs, a pair of blocks, two aces and chipped in with two assists over the two matches. It was also the second consecutive week she averaged more than five kills per set and more than five points per set.
KILL STREAK
Felts enters this weekend's series with Missouri looking to extend her double-digit kill streak. Dating to the October 28 match against Georgia, Felts has notched six-straight double-digit kill performances. Twice during the streak, she has equaled her career-high in kills with 19 coming against UGA on October 29 and versus South Carolina on November 6.
The Lady Vol captain first set her career-high in kills November 30, 2018 in the first round of the NCAA tournament against Colorado State.
WINDICATORS
In the Eve Rackham Watt era, Tennessee is 30-2 when it hits .250 or better. In 2020-21, UT is 4-0 when it hits the .250 mark.
SCOUTING MISSOURI
The 16th-ranked Tigers stand at 8-2 on the year and have already opened their spring season, winning back-to-back five-set matches over LSU. Mizzou was scheduled to play Florida last weekend, but like UT, had its matches canceled due to a positive COVID-19 test and contact tracing within Florida's team.
Mizzou is led by senior Kylie Deberg who averages 4.62 kills per set and is hitting at a .275 clip. Against LSU, Deberg posted a pair of 20-plus kill outings and was named the SEC's Player of the Week and Offensive Player of the Week for her performance.
SERIES HISTORY
Missouri leads the all-time series 10-5 and have won two-straight. Since the series began in 2005, the meetings between Tennessee and Mizzou have been hard-fought – only four matches have ended in sweeps.
UP NEXT
Tennessee goes to the Sip next week for a pair of matches at Ole Miss.
First serve for both matches this weekend is slated for 6:30 p.m. ET.
BROADCAST INFO
Both matches can be streamed on SEC Network+, with Will Boling (play-by-play) and Heather Harrington (color) calling the action.
Harrington is a Tennessee volleyball alum and played on the Lady Vols' 2005 team that reached the national semifinals.
THE ODYSSEY
The 2020-21 season continues for Tennessee as they join the rest of the SEC in finishing the season in the spring. Due to COVID-19 precautions, the Southeastern Conference's volleyball programs played a shortened fall calendar consisting of eight matches.
The league and its teams have returned this spring to close out the year, playing 16 matches.
DELAYED START
Originally, UT was scheduled to begin the spring slate February 5 and 6 at Texas A&M, but had those matches postponed due to a positive COVID-19 test and contact tracing within the Aggie program.
The postponement was the first for the Lady Vols since Hurricane Irma forced the cancellation of three matches in September of 2017. Over the past 25 years, Tennessee has had 11 matches canceled or postponed.
LAST TIME OUT
Tennessee last played on November 18 and 19 at Auburn. The Lady Vols swept both matches to improve to 4-4 (4-4 SEC) on the year.
Junior Lily Felts was named the SEC Player of the Week following to two match sweep. The Knoxville native totaled 31 kills, hit .296, recorded 14 digs, a pair of blocks, two aces and chipped in with two assists over the two matches. It was also the second consecutive week she averaged more than five kills per set and more than five points per set.
KILL STREAK
Felts enters this weekend's series with Missouri looking to extend her double-digit kill streak. Dating to the October 28 match against Georgia, Felts has notched six-straight double-digit kill performances. Twice during the streak, she has equaled her career-high in kills with 19 coming against UGA on October 29 and versus South Carolina on November 6.
The Lady Vol captain first set her career-high in kills November 30, 2018 in the first round of the NCAA tournament against Colorado State.
WINDICATORS
In the Eve Rackham Watt era, Tennessee is 30-2 when it hits .250 or better. In 2020-21, UT is 4-0 when it hits the .250 mark.
SCOUTING MISSOURI
The 16th-ranked Tigers stand at 8-2 on the year and have already opened their spring season, winning back-to-back five-set matches over LSU. Mizzou was scheduled to play Florida last weekend, but like UT, had its matches canceled due to a positive COVID-19 test and contact tracing within Florida's team.
Mizzou is led by senior Kylie Deberg who averages 4.62 kills per set and is hitting at a .275 clip. Against LSU, Deberg posted a pair of 20-plus kill outings and was named the SEC's Player of the Week and Offensive Player of the Week for her performance.
SERIES HISTORY
Missouri leads the all-time series 10-5 and have won two-straight. Since the series began in 2005, the meetings between Tennessee and Mizzou have been hard-fought – only four matches have ended in sweeps.
UP NEXT
Tennessee goes to the Sip next week for a pair of matches at Ole Miss.
Players Mentioned
OH
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