Aug. 4, 2000

The Missouri Volleyball program will head in a new direction this season, under first-year head coach Susan Kreklow, her husband, Wayne Kreklow, and assistants Deng Yang and Cheng Fung. The Kreklows are no strangers to volleyball in central Missouri. They won back-to-back NAIA titles at Columbia College. The Kreklows jumped over to the university in January following Disa Johnson's resignation.

Assistant Deng Yang joins the Kreklows after assisting and playing for the tandem at Columbia College. While there, she was the NAIA National Player of the Year, at outside hitter in 1998 and at setter in 1999. She was also a member of several regional and conference teams and played on the international circuits for her native China.

If last spring is any indication, the Tigers are definitely headed for bigger and better things than in years past. Missouri played in two tournaments last April, finishing with a13-0-1 combined record picking up wins over quality opponents such as Cincinnati, Illinois, Purdue and Rice.

"The team is playing very well," Susan Kreklow said following the spring season. "Everyone is working very hard. We've seen lots of improvement and still see room for improvement, which is encouraging."

SETTER
Returning to the starting role at setter is senior Heather Gerber. Junior Rachael Taylor, who split playing time with Gerber during the 1999 conference season, will return to defensive specialist.

Gerber currently sits in second place on MU's career assists chart and needs just 182 assists to pass former Tiger Cindy Atteberry. Taylor sits in 10th place on the list.

Newcomer Chrissy Elder will be a great backup for the upperclassman Gerber. Elder, who hails from Park Hill South in Kansas City, Mo., was the Kansas City Star's All-Metro player of the year. A first-team all-state performer as a senior, Elder should challenge for a starting spot this fall.

OUTSIDE HITTER
Missouri will work hard at the outside hitter position, trying to give the Tigers more of a threat at the net. Junior Naaron Branson will lead the way for MU on the right side. Branson led the Tigers in nearly every category last season. She accumulated 344 kills (3.37 kpg), 31 service aces and 294 digs (2.88) - all team-leading statistics. She should contribute heavily to Missouri's success this season.

Sophomores Lisa Morris and Rachel Rieble also return at outside hitter. Morris, fifth on the team in kills and fourth in digs, rebounded very well from a medial redshirt served her freshman year. With a new coaching style, Morris should really make things happen for the Tigers. Rieble saw action in 57 games during her freshman campaign, registering the third most service aces on the team (23).

Joining the Tigers this season are junior transfer Kristen Johnson and freshman Katheryn Wingert. During her sophomore year at Washington State, Johnson led the Cougars in blocks per game (1.10) and was second on the team in total blocks (78) and block assists (69).

MIDDLE BLOCKER
Quite possibly Missouri's best feature, the middle blocker position, has the most experience and depth. Senior Annette Luyten was second among the Tigers with 68 total blocks in 1999. She started her junior campaign in 10th place among MU's best blockers with 140 block assists and now sits in fifth place with 196 career block assists.

Freshman Christi Myers made quite an impressive showing in the Big 12 Conference during her rookie season. She was second on the team with 309 kills and third with 59 total blocks. She led Missouri with a .256 hitting percentage. Myers also saw the most action of any freshman on the squad and was third on the team, having played in 96 games.

Junior Krista Johnson led the Tigers in total blocks knocking down 71 last season. Johnson provides a major force at the net and has become a great intimidator to opponents.

Though she saw limited action last season, senior Jen Gerlach worked hard every time she was on the court. Though she saw limited playing time, Gerlach tallied new career highs in both kills (nine) and attacks (20) against UMKC.

Joining the Missouri sideline in 2000 is freshman Ashlee Johns. Johns, considered one of the top-75 recruits in the nation, is from Nixa High School in Nixa, Mo.

DEFENSIVE SPECIALIST
One of the most important but often overlooked positions is that of defensive specialist. Missouri is very experienced at this position with the return of juniors Nikki Myhra and Katie Sowers. Rachael Taylor will also return to a full time position in the back row.

Myhra saw limited action last season, but contributed significantly when she was on the court. She averaged 1.28 digs per game and tallied her first-ever kills with two against East Carolina. With a little confidence boost, Myhra could be a great stabilizing force in Missouri's passing game.

Sowers played in 85 games last year, fourth most on the Tiger squad. She recorded 160 digs (1.88 dpg) at defensive specialist and for the first time, had two block assists, both against Texas. Taylor recorded 104 digs (1.46 dpg) in 71 games last season.

Joining the more experienced Tigers is senior Jana VerBrugge. VerBrugge comes to Missouri from Johnson County Community College, where she played for one year and led her team to the JUCO Regionals. She will add to the Tigers' already deep back court.

SCHEDULE
Every season is a tough one in the Big 12 Conference. Last season, the league saw half of its teams participate in the NCAA Tournament. Only two teams, Nebraska and Texas A&M remained in the national poll at the end of the season but all of the tournament participants were ranked in the top-25 for most of the year.

Nebraska and A&M each lose four letterwinners, but return a bulk of talent from the 1999 season. Baylor, Colorado, Kansas State and Texas were among those ranked last season, but judging by the upsets last season (Missouri over Baylor, Baylor over Colorado, Iowa State over Kansas, Texas Tech over Kansas State - just to name a few), any team can be beaten.

Outside the conference, the Tigers face Arkansas State and Southeast Missouri State, both of whom were ranked in 1999. Arkansas State will participate in the Tiger Invitational while SEMO will visit the Hearnes Center following the Invitational.