Oct. 30, 2000

Columbia, Mo. - The University of Missouri volleyball team (18-4 overall, 9-4 Big 12) climbed one spot in this week's USA Today/American Volleyball Coaches Association poll to No. 24. The No. 24 ranking equals the highest spot the Tigers have reached in the four consecutive weeks they have appeared in the poll.

The Tigers dropped to No. 25 last week following a loss to No. 21 Texas A&M, but jumped one spot after losing to No. 1 Nebraska, 15-7, 15-4, 15-11, last Wednesday and sweeping Iowa State 15-5, 15-5, 15-5 Saturday.

After stopping a two-match skid against Iowa State, Missouri travels to the Lone Star State for the fourth and final time in the 2000 campaign. This is good news for the Tigers as they have went 1-2 in trips to Texas this season.

Mizzou is now 18-4 on the year and 9-4 in the Big 12 Conference under the tutelage of Head Coach Susan Kreklow and Associate Head Coach Wayne Kreklow. The 18 overall wins are the most by a Tiger team since 1992, when that squad was 22-11. The nine conference wins are also a record for a MU volleyball team during the program's time in both the Big 8 (1983-95) and the Big 12 (1996-2000). The previous high was seven back in 1983 and also in 1984.

Turning their attention to the Bears, the Tigers trail Baylor in the all-time series, 6-3. However, Mizzou has won the last two contests between the two, including the 3-2 thriller that took place in Columbia on Sept. 23. Sophomore outside hitter Lisa Morris paced the Tigers in that match, putting down a then career-high 21 kills in the five-game marathon.