Sept. 28, 2001
Tigers Look to Get Back on Track vs. OU
The University of Missouri volleyball team faces the Oklahoma Sooners on Saturday as Mizzou begins a stretch of four Big 12 matches in seven days. The Tigers enter the contest at 9-2 overall and 1-2 in the Big 12. Mizzou went 2-2 last week picking up wins over Texas Tech and Southeast Missouri State and dropping two tough five game matches within 120 hours to Texas A&M and Kansas State. MU is in search of its first consecutive winning seasons since 1982-83 (26-6 and 26-11). The Tigers have not lost back-to-back regular season matches since October 21 and 24 of 2000 at Texas A&M and vs. Nebraska and look to even their conference mark at 2-2.
One of the keys to the Tigers success over the past two seasons has been establishing an early advantage over their opponents. When Mizzou wins Game 1 of a match, they are 9-0 this season and an astounding 33-0 over the last two seasons. However, as was the case last Saturday against A&M and this past Wednesday against Kansas State, when Mizzou drops the opening stanza of a match, they are a not so good 0-9. Look for Mizzou to concentrate on getting off to a good start in Game 1.
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Missouri vs. Oklahoma Match #12 * Sept. 29, 2001 * Columbia, Mo. Participants: Missouri (9-2 overall, 1-2 in the Big 12.) Oklahoma (2-10 overall, 1-1 in the Big 12.) Start Times: Sept. 6 Match set for 7:00 p.m. CST Series Info: OU leads, 31-19 Last Meeting: MU won, 3-0 in Columbia, Nov. 22, 2000 For More Information: MU-www.mutigers.com OU-www.soonersports.com Coaches: Missouri: Susan Kreklow (SW Missouri State '84) 33-8 at MU (2nd season) 542-178 overall (11 seasons)
OU: Kalani Mahi (Graceland College, Iowa) 9-31 at OU (2nd season) 47-83 overall (5th season)
A Look at the Sooners
The Sooners of Oklahoma come into Saturday's match up with a 2-10 record overall and a 1-5 mark in the Big 12. OU picked up its second win of the season last Saturday over Kansas in Norman, 3-1. The Sooners are led by sophomore Logan Pierce, who is averaging 2.71 kills per game and also leads the team in digs per game at 2.50.
Under the tutelage of head coach Kalani Mahi, OU looks to take a match from the Tigers in Columbia for the first time since 1997. The Sooners do own a 31-19 advantage in the all-time series, but Mizzou has won four of the last five matches between the two, including two sweeps of OU last season.
Kreklow Corner
Head coach Susan Kreklow and her husband associate head coach Wayne Kreklow lead the Tigers into action on Saturday against the Sooners. The Kreklows are in their second year at the helm of the Tigers and sport a 33-9 mark (.786 winning percentage) at MU. They also led Mizzou to one of the best seasons in school history in 2000 at 24-7 and the highest conference finish by a Mizzou squad in school history (2nd).
The Tale of the Tape
MU vs. OU Kills 645 477 Kills per gm. 15.7 12.6 Errors 198 265 Attacks 1644 1471 Hitting % .272 .144 Assists 566 411 Aces 69 73 Digs 711 521 Block solo 20 29 Block assists 155 103 Blocks/gm 2.4 2.1
Like a Cat
Mizzou has shown the balance of...well..a Tiger this season offensively. Four Tigers are averaging at least 2.29 kills per game (Morris, 4.43 kpg, Myers, 3.30 kpg, Kristen Johnson, 2.29 kpg and Smith 2.36 kpg.) and five Tigers enter the match with K-State with a .300 or better hitting percentage. Sophomore setter Chrissy Elder leads the squad in assists averaging 12.18 assists per game and leads the team in hitting percentage with a .386 mark.
Morris Continues to Make Her Mark at MU
Junior outside hitter Lisa Morris has been the one of the Tigers most steady producers so far this season. Morris is averaging 4.43 kills per game overall and 3.79 kills per match in conference matches. She has recorded 20 kills or more three times and has recorded five double-doubles this season. Morris is currently climbing the MU career kills charts faster than the new N'Sync album (which she does not like). She is currently second on the kills per game list (3.59 kpg) and needs just 124 kills to move into the MU Top 10 kills list.
C-Notes
Christi Myers is currently playing some of the best volleyball of her career. Over the course of the past five matches, she has averaged 17.2 kills per match, 9.6 digs per match and 5.4 total blocks per match. The junior middle blocker boldly went where no Missouri Tiger volleyball player had went in the past two seasons last Saturday against Texas A&M. The 6-1, 2000 All-Big 12 Honorable Mention selection recorded the first triple-double of her career against Texas A&M (18 kills, 15 digs and 11 total blocks.
The last three matches have been microcosms of Myers' career up to this point. Myers currently holds the highest career hitting percentage (.311) in MU history and is tied for third on the kills per game list (3.15.) Myers is also rewriting the Mizzou career blocking books. She is currently fifth in solo blocks (58), seventh in block assists (195) and third in blocks per game (1.08)
A Fresh Start
Mary Lauren Smith made her first start as a Missouri Tiger and the results were nothing but positive. Mel put down 12 kills and recorded six blocks on Wednesday against the Wildcats and has averaged 12.7 kills and 5.4 blocks per match over the past three matches.
The sophomore transfer equaled a career high in kills against SEMO (13) on Monday and also recorded a block assist and a block solo. In just her ninth match as a Tiger, the 6-2 outside hitter had a career night Saturday against Texas A&M. Smith recorded 13 kills on 35 attacks and also provided a much needed block on the right side with seven block assists, all of which are career highs. Mary Lauren is averaging 2.36 kills per game and a .315 hitting percentage.
Missouri Reschedules Volleyball Matches
The Missouri volleyball team has rescheduled its matches with the University of Kansas and Iowa State University that were postponed last week following the tragic events that gripped our nation. Mizzou will play at Kansas on Monday, Oct. 1st, at 7 p.m. and will host the Cyclones of Iowa State on Monday, Oct. 8th, at 7 p.m.
Tigers on a Tear
Once again, the Tigers are off to one of the best starts in MU history. Mizzou won both of its regular season tournament titles of 2001, the latest coming on Sept. 9 as the Tigers went 3-0 at the Best Inns Invitational in Carbondale, Ill.. After their 2-3 loss to Kansas State, the Tigers are 9-2 overall and 1-2 in the Big 12.
The best start to a season by an MU squad was in 1982 when, under the direction of then-head coach Mike English, the Tigers opened the campaign at 19-0. Perhaps it is no coincidence that the No. 1 one single on the Billboard charts during 1982...yes, you guessed it, "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor.
Tracking the Tigers
Last Time Out...
Tiger Lose Second Five-Game Match in Five Days
Manhattan, Kan.-The University of Missouri volleyball team dropped its second five-game match in five days, falling to the Kansas State Wildcats, 2-3 (22-30, 30-19, 25-30, 30-23, 13-15.) However, Mizzou head coach Susan Kreklow was pleased with the resiliency the Tigers displayed in the hostile environment of the Ahearn Fieldhouse.
In Game 1, Mizzou opened a 6-3 lead. However, KSU would go on a 21-9 run and take a 24-15 advantage. The Tigers would pull within six, 27-21, on a kill by junior middle blocker Christi Myers, but the Wildcats would pull away and take the game, 30-22.
The two squads would start Game 2 in a 15-15 tie. The Tigers were determined not to go peacefully and went on a 15-4 run to take the game, 30-19. Junior Lisa Morris led the Tiger charge by putting down six kills on seven attacks, good enough for a .857 hitting percentage. The Tigers hit .545 in the game and recorded 21 kills and only three errors on 33 attacks. Kansas State managed only a .115 hitting percentage due in part to Mizzou's eight block assists in the game.
The Tigers would jump out to an 8-3 lead in Game 3. K-State would go on another run though and the tie the game at 16. The Cats finished the game with a 14 -9 run and take Game 3, 30-25. Kansas State outside hitter Liz Wagner became K-State's all-time kills leader in Game 3.
Game 4 started in a dead heat at 16 once again. Senior middle blocker Krista Johnson provided a huge spark putting down two straight kills on overpasses. MU closed the game with a14-6 run winning the game, 30-23.
Game 5 was a classic battle as the Tigers jumped out to a 9-5 lead. However, K-State would come back to tie the Tigers at 11. Mizzou would once again grab a lead at 13-12, but could not hold on as K-State scored three straight points to take the game 15-13, and the match, 3-2.
Branson Update
The "Myth from Fort Smith," senior Naaron Branson, has jumped into the Top 10 in career kills in the early going this season.
However, it has been Branson's defensive skills that have been notable so far this season. Branson is leading the Tigers in total digs (112) and digs per game (3.21). Branson has also recorded six service aces so far. She also jumped into the Top 10 in digs and is now in eighth place on the MU all-time charts.
MU All-Time Kills 1. Yvette Buhlig (88-90, 92) 1,478 2. Jodi Maune (95-98) 1,147 3. Renee Rosinski (95-98) 1,049 4. Sherri Gentry (86, 88-90) 1,030 5. Sharon Zaehringer (84-87) 929 6. Gwen Mullens (91-94) 927 7. Naaron Branson (98- ) 926 8. Melinda Wrye (90-92) 906 9. Margaret Yanics (84-86, 88) 902 10. Annette Luyten (97-00) 896 Lisa Morris (99- ) 772
MU All-Time Digs 1. Yvette Buhlig (88-90, 92) 1,149 2. Gwen Mullens (91-94) 1,103 3. Margaret Yanics (84-86, 88) 1,038 4. Chandra Hopkins (95-98) 1,033 5. Annette Luyten (97-00) 996 6. Sherri Gentry (86, 88-90) 972 7. Cindy Atteberry (90-93) 920 8. Naaron Branson (98- ) 897 9. Stacy Harris (84-87) 859 10. Melinda Wrye (90-92) 845 .
Four Tiger Volleyball Matches to be Aired on KWWC
KWWC Radio, with the assistance of Premier Marketing Group, has announced the broadcasting of a Missouri women's sports package. Both the MU women's soccer and volleyball teams will receive coverage of four games and NCAA tournament play during the 2001 fall season.
Likewise, the Missouri women's volleyball team will also receive live coverage of four home events. The Texas Tech, Colorado, Nebraska and Kansas State games will be aired during the regular season. All NCAA Tournament play by the Tigers will also be picked up.
Missouri Volleyball Top Ten Attendance Marks
Date Opponent Att. 1) Oct. 25, 2000 Nebraska 2,009 2) Nov. 4, 2000 Texas Tech 1,484 3) Oct. 31, 1997 Colorado 1,350 4) Nov. 11, 2000 Texas 1,195 5) Oct. 11, 2000 Kansas 1,148 6) Sept. 22, 2001 Texas A&M 1,125 7) Sept. 25, 1999 Kansas 1,107 8) Nov. 22, 2000 Oklahoma 1,091 9) Sept. 19, 2001 Texas Tech 1,049 10) Oct. 18, 2000 Colorado 1,000
1994-Present
As of Sept. 22, 2001
The Name Game-Part 2
If you were a regular reader of Missouri volleyball game notes during the early part of last season (for your health, I hope you weren't), you read of the crazy number of repeat and very similar names that existed on the roster. Not much has changed for the 2001 season, in fact the situation has gotten even worse.
First of all, there is a Krista Johnson (senior middle blocker) and a Kristen Johnson (senior outside hitter) on the Tiger squad, not to mention Christi Myers (junior middle blocker) and Chrissy Elder (sophomore setter). There are now two 'Lisas' on the team as well including 2000 All-Big 12 selection Lisa Morris and freshman Lisa Boyd. With the addition of freshman middle blocker Jenny Duitsman and freshman setter Jenny Bybee the need for nicknames is catastrophic. There are even two Katherines on the team (Wingert and Sowers), but fortunately, Miss Sowers goes by Katie.
Tigers Ranked Fourth in Big 12 Coaches Preseason Poll
Dallas, Texas. -The University of Missouri volleyball team picked up a fourth-place preseason Big 12 ranking in a vote by league head coaches released by the conference office on Aug. 7. The Tigers received 69 votes, tying the Kansas State Wildcats for the fourth of 11 spots. After being picked to finish ninth heading into last season and grabbing a tie for second in the conference, head volleyball coach Susan Kreklow said she is excited about the challenge of continuing the upward swing the program is experiencing.
Defending Big 12 and National Champion Nebraska received 10 of the 11 first place votes while Texas A&M, who was picked to finish second, had one first-place vote. Colorado grabbed the third spot after finishing in a two-way for third in the Big 12 last season while K-State and Mizzou rounded out the top five spots. The polling was based on a 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 system with a first-place vote receiving 10 points. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team.
The Tiger Triple and Double-Double Club
With a variable plethora of offensive weapons at the Tigers disposal, look for the Tigers to have several members of the Triple and Double-Double Club in 2001. Here is a list of the players that have posted double doubles so far this season
Chrissy Elder- 36 assists, 18 digs vs. WVU, 9/1 35 assists, 11 digs vs. Arkon, 9/2 34 assists, 15 digs vs IUPUI, 9/7 65 assists, 10 digs vs TTU, 9/19 63 assists, 14 digs vs KSU, 9/26 Lisa Morris- 15 kills, 10 digs vs. Akron, 9/2 26 kills, 11 digs vs IUPUI, 9/7 20 kills, 11 digs vs. SIU, 9/7 17 kills, 12 digs vs SEMO, 9/24 23 kills, 12 digs vs. KSU, 9/26 Naaron Branson- 15 kills, 21 digs vs. Akron, 9/2 10 kills, 12 digs vs. W. Kent, 9/8
Triple-Doubles
Christi Myers- 18 kills, 15 digs, 11 blocks vs. Texas A&M, 9/22
Rules, Regulations and other Points of Interest
The National Association for Girls and Women in Sports, the official rules-making body for women's collegiate volleyball, has released its "2001-2002 NAGWS Official Rules, Interpretations & Officiating Rulebook." Among the modifications include changes in the scoring format to rally scoring, the let serve and the one toss per serve. The international pursuit rule was added as an experimental rule for the upcoming season.
* The most noticeable difference this season will be the move from sideout volleyball to a rally scoring format where each play will result in a point. The first four games will be scored to 30 points, with the winner holding a two-point lead. The fifth and deciding game will be played to 15 with the winner leading by two points.
*Other significant changes involve the serve. Players must serve the ball within eight seconds after the referee authorizes service and will not be allowed a second toss for service. Further, the collegiate game will mimic the international game with the let serve. A served ball will remain in play if it hits the net and continues its path to the opposition's court. A service ace can be earned if the ball falls to the opposition's side of the court on the serve, despite contact with the net on service.
The 2001 Schedule
Mizzou has now begun its Big 12 Conference schedule in the double round robin format. The Tigers were 13-1 last season in the home whites and hosted seven of the 10 largest crowds in school history. The usual suspects will be competing for the crown in the Big 12 again this season. Defending National and Big 12 Champion Nebraska returns five of six starters to its lineup while Kansas State and Texas A&M, who both tied with Mizzou for second place in the conference in 2000, each return at least four starters from last season's squads.
You Must Look Back to Go Forward, Grasshopper
Coming off of one of the best seasons in school history, a high level of excitement surrounds the 2001 Missouri volleyball team this season. 2000 Big 12 Coaches of the year Susan and Wayne Kreklow return five starters from last season's squad that went 24-7 overall (the sixth-most wins in a season in school history) and 14-6 in the Big 12 (the best conference record in school history). The Tigers also achieved a national ranking for the first time since 1982, reaching No. 23 in the USA Today Coaches' Poll.
Due to the success of last year's squad, the Tigers developed a new-found following and an atmosphere in the Hearnes Center that makes the friendly confines a difficult place to play for opponents. The Tigers finished 28th in the nation in average attendance last season averaging 875 fans per match, a 171% increase from 1999. With the addition of Point Mizzou, the Tiger's own pep band, and the outstanding level of play that will be on display, the Tigers are developing a tradition that has the Big 12 talking.