April 23, 2001

Columbia, Mo.--The University of Missouri Volleyball team will venture out of the state, out of the Big 12, and even out of the country for their final matches of the spring at the end of May. The Tigers are headed for Nanjing and Shanghai, China for a series of 10 matches in 14 days with Chinese Club Teams. This is the first time a Tiger Volleyball team has traveled outside of the country for any kind of match. Associate head coach Wayne Kreklow said that the trip offers a great opportunity for Mizzou to be ambassadors of the game of volleyball as well as for the University of Missouri.

" The team has an excellent opportunity to get a first hand experience in what is arguably one of the hotbeds of international volleyball and one on the worlds most interesting cultures." Wayne Kreklow said. "We are definitely fortunate to have this opportunity and I think it signals a very big commitment to women's volleyball by the University of Missouri."

Assistant Coaches Deng Yang and Chen Feng have former National Team teammates that now coach club teams in China with one club located in Shanghai and the other in Nanjing. Mizzou will spend time training and competing with each club team. An itinerary and preview of the upcoming trip will be posted in the upcoming weeks so continue to point your browser to www.mutigers.com.

Tigers Find an Oasis in Champaign

The Tigers traveled to Champaign, Illinois on Sat., April 21 for their final tune-up, spring tournament before they head on a fast plane to China. The Tigers went 3-0-2 in the two-game matches to 30 using rally scoring. Mizzou recorded wins over Loyola, University of Illinois Chicago, and Northwestern and split with upcoming 2001 opponent Southern Illinois and Big 10 Illinois. Head coach Susan Kreklow said that the Tigers are beginning to gel very effectively and working well with sophomore setter Chrissy Elder.

"We continue to improve every time out," Kreklow said. "The consistency it takes to compete in rally scoring matches is showing with our team as they become more confident. We were very pleased with the play of the whole team, but in particular Ashlee Johns, who had a very strong tournament, and Rachael Taylor. The team continues to work hard and we look forward to our opportunity to travel in May."

The Tigers will now have two weeks off from practice before reconvening for preparations for China on May 7.