RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesTwo weeks before Mizzou volleyball opens its 2026 season, there are still plenty of questions left to answer.
That was perhaps the biggest takeaway from Saturday’s Black and Gold scrimmage at the Hearnes Center.
With the Tigers’ season opener against Western Illinois approaching, several position battles remain wide open. While that might make some fans nervous, it also gives coach Dawn Sullivan and her staff plenty to work with before the season officially begins.
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Here are my three biggest takeaways from Saturday’s scrimmage.
1. The pins are still very much up for grabs
If you were looking for a clear answer at outside hitter or right side Saturday, you probably left with more questions than answers.
And that is not necessarily a bad thing.
The Tigers have a crowded group competing for playing time on the pins. Freshman Ceylin Kuyan showed exactly why Sullivan has been excited about her. When I spoke with Sullivan last week , she highlighted Kuyan’s combination of touch and power.
That combination was on display Saturday.
Sophomore Paige Felder also made an impression, continuing to show why Sullivan has talked about her as someone who could play a major role this season.
Then there are the veterans.
Junior Claire Morrissey and senior Kimani Johnson have experience playing both outside hitter and right side. Sophomore Maca Lobaglio also has experience at right side, giving Sullivan several options to move pieces around.
With the offense expected to run heavily through the pins, finding the right combination will be one of the biggest decisions of the preseason.
And with the season opener only two weeks away, there is still no obvious answer.
That makes this position battle the biggest takeaway coming out of the scrimmage.
2. The libero position will look very different
For the first time during the Sullivan era, Maya Sands is not going to be the one wearing the libero jersey.
That alone makes this season feel a little different.
Sands became a steady presence in the back row during her time at Missouri, and her routine defensive heroics are no longer something the Tigers can count on.
Sophomore Zoey Matias-Lopez is back, but she is expected to continue splitting her time between libero and defensive specialist duties.
That puts a significant amount of responsibility on Evansville transfer Ainoah Cruz.
Cruz will have the unenviable task of stepping into a role that was occupied by the most recognizable defensive player of the Sullivan era.
The Tigers looked like a team still figuring things out defensively Saturday, which is understandable with a new libero and several new pieces.
But replacing Sands is going to be one of the biggest adjustments for Missouri this season.
3. The middles might be the biggest bright spot
While the pins and libero positions remain question marks, the middle blocker position gave plenty of reason for optimism.
Freshman Eva Smith might have had the brightest introduction to Mizzou fans Saturday.
At 6-foot-4, Smith is the tallest player Sullivan has had at Missouri, and she plays like it. She has the size to become a major presence at the net but also moves well enough to fit into Sullivan’s fast-paced system.
If she continues developing, Smith could quickly become a fan favorite.
Redshirt sophomore Tia Phinezy also looked comfortable. With three years in Columbia and familiarity with Sullivan’s system, Phinezy moved well and consistently used her high hands to make plays.
Utah State transfer Lauren Larkin also showed why she fits the mold of the type of middle Sullivan likes. She is not the biggest middle on the roster, but she moves extremely well and brings the speed needed to operate in Missouri’s system.
Honorable mention: The setter battle is still alive
There was one notable absence Saturday.
Redshirt junior Sierra Dudley did not dress for the scrimmage, meaning the battle between Dudley and junior Nina Mandovic for the starting setter job remains very much up in the air.
That is one question I will be watching closely when Missouri takes the court again.
The Tigers will get another chance to answer some of these questions Saturday against Drake in their exhibition match.
For now, though, the Black and Gold scrimmage made one thing clear: There is still plenty to figure out before the season begins.
And honestly, that makes the next few weeks pretty fun.
The Fifth Set will be back Friday, and First Serve will return next Monday.
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