Mizzou volleyball set to host No. 25 Oregon in the Big Ten/SEC Challenge

Missouri got through the weekend with a clean sheet, in part from some strong play by outside hitter Paige Felder, who recorded 34 kills on 74 total attempts during the weekend. She also recorded seven service aces, including five Friday morning against Western Illinois.

Middle blocker Eva Smith starred in her first outings as a Tiger, tallying 12 blocks, 10 kills and six service aces. She wasn't the only freshman to showcase her talent, as both Ceylin Kuyan and Maizy Agnello made big plays.

Kuyan, who hails all the way from Turkey, picked up 24 kills in her first weekend as a Missouri outside hitter, including a 14-kill match against Western Illinois to open the season. Agnello, who got less playing time than the other two, jumped into all three matches earning three kills and a service ace. Agnello is a 17-year-old freshman who reclassed to play for Mizzou a year early.

Senior transfer Ainoah Cruz got the nod as Missouri's primary libero, starting in all three matches. The Evansville transfer totaled 42 digs, 4.67 per set, this weekend.

Now, Mizzou looks to the first of its two Big Ten opponents this season in the Oregon Ducks. The Tigers will also play Nebraska on Sunday at Wrigley Field. 

Oregon, like Missouri, missed the national tournament last season. It was the first season under head coach Trent Kersten, and as a team, with the Ducks finishing with a 17-13 record. This season, the Ducks are off to a 2-0 start with a 3-0 win over Western Kentucky, with each set separated by five points or less, and a 3-1 win over Southeast Missouri State.

The Ducks tallied 96 kills through their first two matches, getting 61 on a .412 hitting percentage against SEMO. Oregon's senior outside hitter Valentina Vaulet recorded an impressive 21 kills in that match to up her season total to a team leading 28.

There will be a familiar face returning to the Hearnes on Tuesday night. Setter Marina Crownover is coming back to Columbia, but on the other side of the net. As a Tiger, Crownover tallied more than 2,000 assists in her two years and earned second team All-SEC honors in 2025. Crownover picked up 33 assists against SEMO and has 48 on the season.

The ex-Tiger is no stranger to playing in her former home as a member of the opposing team. On Nov. 1, 2024, she helped Missouri take down the back-to-back champion Texas Longhorn, where she started her career. Crownover recorded 51 assists, including a season high of six kills, to help lead the Tigers over the Longhorns in five sets.

Both undefeated records will be at stake at 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Hearnes Center.