Sophomore Lisa Morris is the first Mizzou volleyball player to earn first team All-Big 12 HonorsSophomore Lisa Morris is the first Mizzou volleyball player to earn first team All-Big 12 Honors
Volleyball

Big 12 Honors Abound for No. 24 Tigers

Nov. 26, 2000

Columbia, Mo. - University of Missouri Head Coach Susan Kreklow was named the Big 12 Volleyball Coaches of the year and sophomore outside hitter Lisa Morris became the first Tiger to be named to the All-Big 12 Conference Volleyball First Team, it was announced on Sunday by the Big 12 office. Kreklow shares the honor with her husband, associate head coach Wayne Kreklow, as the two have led the Tigers to the second best season in school history. Senior setter Heather Gerber and sophomore middle blocker Christi Myers also grabbed honorable mention recognition on the team that was selected through a vote of the league's head coaches.

The Kreklows, who are in their first year at the helm at Mizzou, spearheaded a 24-6 record and a tie for second place in the Big 12 with a 14-6 mark after the 1999 team went 10-21. The 2000 season was MU's first 20-win season since 1992 and the squads .866 winning percentage is the highest in Tiger volleyball history. The Kreklows also have the Tigers in the hunt for their first NCAA Tournament bid in school history. The location and opponent the Tigers will face will be announced tonight.

Morris (Overland Park, Kan.), who was already named to her second academic All-Big 12 team earlier this season, had an outstanding regular season. She led the Tigers in kills per game (4.44), kills (417), digs per game (3.02), and service aces (37). She was also named Big 12 volleyball athlete of the week on Oct. 16.

Gerber (Colorado Springs, Colo.) has had a career-year. She became MU's all-time assists leader on September 8 and finished the regular season with 4,897 career assists. Gerber, who was also a three-time academic All-Big 12 selection, is averaged 13.33 assists per game and has led Mizzou to a .291 hitting percentage. Gerber was a Big 12 volleyball athlete of the week selection on November 6.

Myers (Raytown, Mo.) was sensational at the net for MU during the regular seson. She put down a team-high 128 blocks including a Big-12 high 37 solo blocks. She also recorded a team-high .364 hitting percentage and is second on the team in kills with 287.

These three athletes are the first All-Big 12 volleyball selections in MU school history with only four other Tigers receiving conference honors during Mizzou's time in the Big 8 from 1982 to 1996.