Oct. 1, 2001
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Finally! MU vs. KU The University of Missouri volleyball team makes the 3 1/2 hour trek on Monday to Lawrence, Kansas, to take on the Jayhawks for the first time this season. The two rivals were scheduled to face each other on Sept. 12, but the match was rescheduled due to the terrorist attacks that gripped the nation on Sept. 11. The Tigers enter the contest at 10-2 overall and 2-2 in the Big 12. Mizzou went 2-1 last week picking up wins over Southeast Missouri State and Oklahoma and dropping a tough match at Kansas State, 2-3. MU is after its first consecutive winning seasons since 1982-83 (26-6 and 26-11). The match is the first of three matches this week as Mizzou travels to No. 1 Nebraska on Wednesday and welcomes Baylor to the Hearnes Center on Saturday.
Quick Starts Equal Success 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, it is 10-0 this season and an astounding 34-0 over the last two seasons. However, as was the case last Wednesday against Kansas State, when Mizzou drops the opening stanza of a match, it is a not so good 0-9. Look for Mizzou to concentrate on getting off to a good start in Game 1.
A Look at the Jayhawks KU is off to an outstanding start in 2001. With an 11-2 mark overall and a 2-2 record in the conference, the Jayhawks have equaled last season's mark after 13 matches. After dropping consecutive matches at Oklahoma and No. 23 Texas two weeks ago, Kansas comes off of a major upset taking out Colorado, who was receiving 51 votes and was sitting at No. 27 in the USA Today/AVCA Coaches Poll, 3-1 on Saturday. KU has been a force to be reckoned with at home sporting a 6-0 mark so far.
Senior setter Molly LaMere is having an outstanding season, averaging 12.32 assists per game, 1.23 kills per game and leads the team in hitting percentage by hitting at a .393 clip. Sophomore Sarah Rome has also been a powerful weapon for the Jayhawks averaging 3.67 kills per game and is third on the team in digs per game (2.30).
MU leads the all-time series with KU, 34-29. The Tigers have won five of the last eight and three of the last five matches between the two. The Tigers grabbed two victories over the Jayhawks last season including a 3-0 sweep in Columbia on Oct. 11.
Kreklow Corner Head coach Susan Kreklow and her husband, associate head coach Wayne Kreklow, lead the Tigers into action on Monday against the Jayhawks. The Kreklows are in their second year at the helm of the Tigers and sport a 34-9 mark (.790 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. KUKills 713 704 Kills per gm. 15.8 16.0 Errors 226 285 Attacks 1810 1702 Hitting % .269 .246 Assists 625 629 Aces 80 101 Digs 786 597 Block solo 22 26 Block assists 167 141 Blocks/gm 2.3 2.2
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 (Lisa Morris, 4.17 kpg, Christi Myers, 3.41 kpg, Kristen Johnson, 2.29 kpg and Mary Lauren Smith 2.69 kpg.) and four Tigers enter the match with Kansas with a .300 or better hitting percentage. Sophomore setter Chrissy Elder leads the squad in assists averaging 12.34 assists per game and leads the team in hitting percentage with a .406 mark.
The Cardiac Kids The Missouri volleyball must love action suspense movies like Mission Impossible, Patriot Games or the X-Files. The Tigers have left their fans clutching their hearts several times this season with their exciting and unpredictable play. Of Mizzou's 10 wins so far this season, five of them have been of the "3-1" variety. Both of the Tiger losses have come in five-game stomach clinchers when Mizzou has held leads in Game 5. Missouri volleyball in 2001 is definitely not for the weak of heart.
Missouri Reschedules Volleyball Matches Missouri has rescheduled its matches with the University of Kansas and Iowa State University that were postponed following the tragic events that gripped our nation. Mizzou will play at Kansas tonight at 7 p.m. and will host the Cyclones of Iowa State on Monday, Oct. 8th, at 7 p.m.
Morris Minutes Junior outside hitter Lisa Morris has been the one of the Tigers most steady producers so far this season. Morris is averaging 4.17 kills per game overall and 3.33 kills per game 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 (3.56 kpg) and needs just 117 kills to move into the MU Top 10 kills list.
Lisa will face off against her sister Lindsey, who is a freshman at KU. She is averaging 1.33 kills per game in nine games of action for the Jayhawks.
Consistency Personified Middle blocker Christi Myers has been as reliable as Maytag Appliances, the U.S. Postal Service and my old golden retriever Spot. Over the course of the past seven matches, she has averaged 16.29 kills per match, 9.57 digs per match and 5.57 total blocks per match. Myers recorded her first double-double of the season on Saturday against Oklahoma (18 kills, 12 digs) and recorded a .371 hitting percentage.
The junior middle blocker boldly went where no Missouri Tiger volleyball player had went in the past two seasons on Sat., Sept. 22 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 seven matches have been microcosms of Myers' career up to this point. Myers currently holds the highest career hitting percentage (.312) in MU history and jumped into third on the kills per game list (3.19). Myers is also rewriting the Mizzou career blocking books. She is currently fifth in solo blocks (60), seventh in block assists (198) and third in blocks per game (1.08)
Sowers Has Been Solid The position of defensive specialist does not garner much of the spotlight in modern volleyball. However, the specialists are crucial in getting the team into system and providing a good pass. Senior defensive specialist Katie Sowers has been outstanding of late for the Tigers in the back row. Over the past six matches, Sowers has averaged 14 digs per match including a career-high 18 against Southern Illinois in the championship match of the SIU Best Inns Invitational.
Getting Up for the Down Stroke After averaging 12.7 kills per game and 5.4 blocks over the past three matches prior to Saturday nights win over Oklahoma, sophomore Mary Lauren Smith would need a great performance on Saturday to eclipse her efforts so far. And that is exactly what she did. Smith put down a career-and match-high 20 kills in the Tigers 3-1 win over the Sooners and also recorded two block assists. Let us hope those kind of numbers prove to be a repeat performances for the rest of the season
In just her ninth match as a Tiger, the 6-2 outside hitter had a great night last 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. Mary Lauren is averaging 2.69 kills per game and a .302 hitting percentage.
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 3-1 win over Oklahoma, the Tigers are 10-2 overall and 2-2 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.
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.
Tracking the Tigers Last Time Out... Tiger Volleyball Powers Past Sooners Columbia, Mo. - Sophomore Mary Lauren Smith pounded out a match-high 20 kills and Christi Myers recorded her first double-double (17 kills, 12 digs) of the season as the University of Missouri moved past the University of Oklahoma, 3-1 on Saturday night. Mizzou improves to 10-2 overall and 2-2 in the Big 12 while the Sooners slip to 2-11 overall and 1-2 in the Big 12.
In front of 1,416 Tiger faithful (the third largest crowd in Mizzou volleyball history) the Tigers ran out to a 15-5 lead in Game 1 and would not look back, taking the game, 30-18. Mizzou held OU to just a -.057 hitting percentage and recorded seven total blocks in the game. OU would fight back though and take Game 2, 30-22. Inconsistent passing once again plagued the Tigers as they managed only a .111 hitting percentage with ten attack errors leading to the OU win.
The two squads battled to a 19-19 tie before Mizzou would go on 11-7 run and take Game 3, 30-26. Mizzou came out in Game 4 on fire recording a .390 hitting percentage and finishing off the Sooners, 30-20.
Senior Naaron Branson was excellent on defense for Mizzou picking up a match-high 18 digs and paced four Tigers who reached double figures in digs. Mizzou was also excellent from the service line recording a season-high 11 team service aces including four service aces from sophomore setter Chrissy Elder, who also handed out 56 assists on the evening.
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 (40) and digs per game (3.33) and has jumped up into a tie for fifth place on the MU career kills list. 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 List 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. Naaron Branson (98- ) 929 5. Sharon Zaehringer (84-87) 929 7. Gwen Mullens (91-94) 927 8. Melinda Wrye (90-92) 906 9. Margaret Yanics (84-86, 88) 902 10. Annette Luyten (97-00) 896 Lisa Morris (99- ) 779Digs 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- ) 915 9. Stacy Harris (84-87) 859 10. Melinda Wrye (90-92) 845
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) Sept. 29, 2001 Oklahoma 1,416 4) Oct. 31, 1997 Colorado 1,350 5) Nov. 11, 2000 Texas 1,195 6) Oct. 11, 2000 Kansas 1,148 7) Sept. 22, 2001 Texas A&M 1,125 8) Sept. 25, 1999 Kansas 1,107 9) Nov. 22, 2000 Oklahoma 1,091 10) Sept. 19, 2001 Texas Tech 1,049
1994-Present
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.
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 Christi Myers- 18 kills, 12 digs vs. OU, 9/29Triple-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. The 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 Tigers' 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.