Nov. 26, 2000

Columbia, Mo. - After days of speculation and hours of hard work, the University of Missouri volleyball team (24-6, 14-6 Big 12) received the news it had been waiting for. The Tigers were selected into the 64-team NCAA Volleyball Tournament for the first time in school history on Sunday night.

The Tigers, who are the No. 24 ranked team in the nation, will face the No. 21-ranked Utah State Aggies in Provo, Utah on Friday at 5 p.m. mountain time, 6 p.m. central in the first round of the Central Region. If the Tigers can win, they will face the winner of the matchup between host Brigham Young and Hofstra on Saturday at 7 p.m. mountain.

The news came as the Tigers, along with 40-50 supporters, coaches and staff, watched the NCAA selection show in the student athlete lounge of the Taylor Brookfield building. Big 12 Volleyball Coach of the Year Susan Kreklow said that the Tigers are honored to make the tournament, but she thinks MU has a shot at making some noise at the next level.

"We couldn't be more proud of our team," Kreklow said. "We have had good run and we look forward to taking the next step in our season and with our program."

Mizzou was one of six Big 12 teams included in the 64. The Tigers finished in a three-way tie for second place with 22nd-ranked Kansas State and 25th-ranked Texas A&M in the final conference standings with identical 14-6 league marks. It is a true tie, as all three teams split the season series with each other. The second place finish ties the best conference finish in Missouri history, equaling the 1983 squads second place finish in the Big Eight. The Big 12 has had six teams in the tournament for the past four years.

Taking a look at the competition in the Tigers opening bracket, the Tigers are 0-1 all-time against Utah State, who recieved an at large bid, a 0-3 loss to the Aggies in San Diego, Calif. in 1989. Mizzou has never faced Hofstra or Brigham Young.