Mizzou volleyball continued its climb in Southeastern Conference play, extending its winning streak to five matches with road victories over South Carolina and Georgia over the weekend. The Tigers swept the Gamecocks on Friday before earning a four-set win against the Bulldogs on Sunday, improving to 13-8 overall and 6-3 in conference play.

The two road victories showcased Mizzou’s growing confidence, defensive presence and ability to respond when opponents gained momentum. After dropping the opening set against Georgia, the Tigers won three consecutive sets to finish their weekend with another important conference victory.

Mizzou opened the weekend with a dominant performance against South Carolina, winning 25-20, 25-17 and 25-13. The sweep marked the Tigers’ third consecutive match without dropping a set and their fourth straight victory, continuing the momentum they established with their win over Auburn.

Sophomore Paige Felder led the offense with 14 kills while hitting .414, marking her fourth consecutive match with double-digit kills. Freshman middle blocker Eva Smith delivered the best performance of her young career, finishing with 10 kills and nine total blocks. Both numbers were career highs, and her .500 hitting percentage helped Mizzou control the net on both ends.

Senior outside hitter Grace O’Reilly also contributed defensively with a season-high six blocks, while senior libero Ainoah Cruz recorded 14 digs. The Tigers outhit South Carolina .287 to .106 and finished with 11 total blocks, limiting the Gamecocks’ opportunities to build offensive momentum.

Mizzou steadily separated itself from South Carolina throughout the match, particularly in the final set. After the Gamecocks opened with a four-point run, the Tigers responded and eventually built a comfortable lead behind their blocking and attacking. Smith recorded her 10th kill of the match before O’Reilly delivered the final point in the 25-13 victory.

The win also extended Mizzou’s streak to 11 consecutive sets dating back to its Oct. 11 victory against Auburn. It was the Tigers’ first time sweeping three consecutive SEC opponents since 2021.

Mizzou faced a tougher test Sunday in Athens, Georgia, dropping the opening set 25-23 before responding with a 25-15 second-set victory. The Tigers then edged the Bulldogs 25-23 in the third set before closing out the match with a 25-18 win.

Felder and fifth-year senior Kimani Johnson led the way with 13 kills apiece, accounting for more than half of Mizzou’s total kills. Both players added three blocks, helping the Tigers finish with 12 total blocks and outhit Georgia .254 to .188.

Junior setter Nina Mandovic recorded her fifth double-double of the season with 27 assists and 13 digs while adding two service aces. Her contributions helped keep the offense moving as Mizzou battled through a competitive third set.

Georgia appeared poised to regain control in the third set after building a five-point advantage at the media timeout. However, Mizzou fought back behind Felder and O’Reilly, eventually taking its first lead at 23-22 after a block by Smith and Mandovic and a kill from Felder. The Tigers closed out the set and carried that momentum into the fourth, where they built an early advantage and never relinquished control.

The victory gave Mizzou its fifth consecutive win and sixth SEC victory of the season. The Tigers have now won four of their five meetings against Georgia under head coach Dawn Sullivan.

Mizzou will have little time to celebrate its road success with another difficult conference matchup approaching. The Tigers travel to Lexington, Kentucky, to face No. 4 Kentucky on Friday, Oct. 30, at 6 p.m. CT.

The Wildcats will provide a significant test for a Mizzou team that has found consistency over the past two weeks. The Tigers’ blocking, led by Smith and supported by Johnson and O’Reilly, has become a strength, while Felder continues to provide a reliable scoring option on the outside.

Mizzou will look to carry its five-match winning streak into Memorial Coliseum as it continues to build its position in the SEC standings. The match will be streamed on SEC Network+.

First Serve will return next week and The Fifth set will preview the Kentucky matchup.