Oct. 10, 2001
Tigers Take On UMKC in Intrastate Battle
The University of Missouri volleyball squad will take the court for the third time in 96 hours on Wednesday night as it welcomes intrastate foe UMKC to the Hearnes Center. Mizzou wraps up a stretch of 10 matches in 21 days tonight. The Tigers are coming off of an impressive 75 minute sweep of Iowa State on Wednesday. Prior to the win over the Cyclones, the Tigers had lost their first back-to-back losses since last season (10/21 at Texas A&M and 10/24 Nebraska) dropping consecutive matches to Nebraska and Baylor last week.
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The Mid-Season Report
The Tiger volleyball team has had more twists and turns during the first half of the season than Chubby Checker and the Byrds. Through 16 matches, Mizzou is currently 12-4 overall and 4-4 in the Big 12. The Tigers opened the season at 7-0 winning their first two pre-Big 12 tournaments in Morgantown, West Virginia and Carbondale, Ill.
Mizzou has went 5-4 since its win at the Best Inns Invitational in Carbondale and 4-4 in the Big 12. Two of the loses (Texas A&M and at Kansas State) have come in five-game matches in which Mizzou has had leads in Game 5 but could not hold on. The Tigers were also able to give the defending National Champion Nebraska Cornhuskers a run for their money in Lincoln (30-15, 30-24, 35-33) actually leading in both Games 2 and 3.
At 4-4 in the Big 12 , MU is currently in seventh place in the Big 12 and fell out of the "receiving votes" category in the AVCA/USAToday Coaches Poll just this past week after its loss to Baylor at home. However, Mizzou has a great opportunity to jump back into the poll and move up in the conference as they play the top four teams in the Big 12 (at Texas-10/13, No. 23 Colorado-10/17, at No. 17 Texas A&M-10/20, and No. 2 Nebraksa-10/24) over the next two weeks.
The Kansas City Connection
Did you know that 22% of the Tiger roster (4 of 18) is originally from the greater Kansas City metro area? Unless you are a complete nerd, the fact that junior middle blocker Christi Myers (Raytown, Mo.), junior outside hitter Lisa Morris (Overland Park, Kan.) and sophomore setter Chrissy Elder and freshman Loretta McGovern (Kansas City, Mo.) are all from the greater Kansas City area (Kansas City, Mo.) might have completely slipped your mind. Just thought you would like to know.
A Look at the Kangaroos
The Kangaroos enter Wednesday night's match up at 3-12 overall and 1-9 in the Mid-Continental Conference. After opening the season at 0-5, UMKC would go on to win three of its next seven including a 3-1 win over IUPUI. The Tigers defeated IUPUI 3-1 as well at the Best Inns Invitational on Sept. 7.
The `Roos are led by sophomore Lindsey Zerr. She leads the team in kills (169), kills per game (2.96), total blocks (67) and blocks per game (1.18). Zerr has played in all 15 matches this season and appeared in all 31 matches for UMKC as a freshman last season.
The Tigers have a stranglehold on the all-time series with UMKC, 25-3. The Tigers have won five of the last six match ups between the two including a 3-0 sweep in Kansas City on Sept. 6 of 2000. The last time UMKC took a match from MU was in 1994, a five-game battle in Kansas City, Mo.
Movin' On Up
Movin' On Up is a phrase made popular in the late '70s and early '80s by the classic sitcom "The Jeffersons." Moving on up is exactly what several Tigers are doing on the career MU record charts. Junior Lisa Morris is currently in the second position on the kills per game list (3.64 kpg) and also ranks seventh on the career digs per game chart (2.55 dpg).
The two Tiger middles are also assaulting the career blocks and hitting percentage charts as we speak or you read and I write. Junior Christi Myers is currently tied for the highest career hitting percentage in school history (.308) while senior Krista Johnson ranks fifth on that chart (.278). Myers has also jumped into the top 5 on the career block solos (64), total blocks (273) and blocks per game (1.08).
You Are Cordially Invited...
The University of Missouri volleyball squad is ranked 22nd in the nation according to average attendance, it was announced on Monday. The Tigers are averaging 1,109 fans per home contest and have hosted three of the top 10 largest crowds in MU history this season. Below is a list of the Top 10 MU crowds in volleyball.
Missouri Volleyball Top Ten Attendance Marks
Date Opponent Att. 1) Oct. 25, 2000 Nebraska 2,009 2) Oct. 6, 2001 Baylor 1,823 3) Nov. 4, 2000 Texas Tech 1,484 4) Sept. 29, 2001 Oklahoma 1,416 5) Oct. 31, 1997 Colorado 1,350 6) Nov. 11, 2000 Texas 1,195 7) Oct. 11, 2000 Kansas 1,148 8) Sept. 22, 2001 Texas A&M 1,125 9) Sept. 25, 1999 Kansas 1,107 10) Nov. 22, 2000 Oklahoma 1,091 1994-Present
Win Game 1 and It's Done
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 12-1 this season and an astounding 36-1 over the last two seasons. However, when Mizzou drops the opening stanza of a match, it is a not so good 0-10. Look for Mizzou to concentrate on getting off to a good start in Game 1.
Kreklow Corner
Head coach Susan Kreklow and her husband, associate head coach Wayne Kreklow, lead the Tigers into action on Wednesday against the Kangaroos. The Kreklows are in their second year at the helm of the Tigers and sport a 36-11 mark (.766 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. UMKC Kills 935 752 Kills per gm. 15.8 13.2 Errors 320 423 Attacks 2393 2134 Hitting % .257 .154 Assists 821 690 Aces 99 79 Digs 1022 792 Block solo 37 29 Block assists 213 232 Blocks/gm 2.4 2.5
From Every Direction
Mizzou has shown the balance of...well...a Tiger this season offensively. Four Tigers are averaging at least 2.17 kills per game (Lisa Morris, 4.34 kpg, Christi Myers, 3.41 kpg, Kristen Johnson, 2.17 kpg and Mary Lauren Smith 2.63 kpg.) and four Tigers enter the match with Iowa State with a .300 or better hitting percentage. Sophomore setter Chrissy Elder leads the squad in assists averaging 12.33 assists per game and leads the team in hitting percentage with a .333 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 11 wins so far this season, six of them have been of the "3-1" variety. Two of the Tiger losses have come in five-game stomach clinchers when Mizzou has held leads in Game 5. The Tigers also provided the Tiger fans that attended the match in Lincoln against Nebraska a thrill. The Tigers had leads of 24-20 in Game 2 and 31-30 in Game 3 before falling to the Huskers. Missouri volleyball in 2001 is definitely not for the weak of heart.
Lisa is Lighting It UpA
Junior outside hitter Lisa Morris has been the one of the Tigers most steady producers so far this season. Morris is averaging 4.34 kills per game overall. She has recorded 20 kills or more four times and has recorded seven 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 (3.64 kpg) and needs just 58 kills to move into the MU Top 10 kills list.
Uncharted Territory
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 ten matches, she has averaged 15.20 kills per match, 9.70 digs per match and 5.1 total blocks per match. Myers has also recorded three double-doubles this season.
The junior middle blocker boldly went where no Missouri Tiger volleyball player had went in the past two seasons on 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 10 matches have been microcosms of Myers' career up to this point. Myers currently holds the highest career hitting percentage (.308) 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 tied for fourth in solo blocks (64), seventh in block assists (206) and third in blocks per game (1.08)
Tracking the Tigers
Last Time Out...
Tigers Take Out Frustration on Cyclones
Columbia, Mo.-The University of Missouri volleyball team emphatically ended its first two-match losing streak of the season Monday night sweeping the Iowa State University Cyclones, 3-0 (30-11, 30-22, 30-21). The Tigers improve to 12-4 on the year and 4-4 in the Big 12 while the Cyclones fall to 3-9 overall and 0-7 in the Big 12.
The Tigers roared out to a great start in Game 1, recording a .581 hitting percentage while holding ISU to a .130 mark and taking the game, 30-11. Iowa State would battle with the Tigers to open Game 2 with the Iowa State taking a 13-12 lead. However, Mizzou would go on a 17-10 run the rest of the way and take the game, 30-22. Sophomore Ashlee Johns provided a spark off of the bench for Mizzou in Game 2 recording three kills while junior Lisa Morris had six. The two squads would again play each other close and were tied 6-6 to open Game 3. Mizzou would then use a 13-5 run to take a 19-11 lead and would not look back taking the game, 30-21 and the match, 3-0.
Mizzou used a very efficient and balanced effort to take the match, recording a .433 hitting percentage (the second highest single- match mark of the season) and committed only eight attack errors. Morris led the Tigers once again recording 17 kills, five digs and two service aces. Morris is averaging 18.66 kills per match and 5.10 kills per game over the past three matches. Morris also recorded a career-best .516 hitting percentage on the evening.
Junior Christi Myers also reached double figures in kills for the tenth time in 11 matches putting down 10 terminations while also picking up six digs and stuffing a match-high three total blocks. Senior Naaron Branson also continued her solid play in the back row picking up 16 digs and provided tough serving for Mizzou registering a service ace.
The Myth Minute
The "Myth from Fort Smith," senior Naaron Branson, jumped into the Top 10 in career kills and digs earlier this season.
Branson's defensive skills that have been notable so far this season. She is leading the Tigers in total digs (185) and digs per game (3.30) and has jumped up into sixth place on the MU all-time career digs list (980) and has
All-Time Kills Leaders 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- ) 932 6. 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- ) 848.All-Time Digs Leaders 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. Naaron Branson (98- ) 980 7. Sherri Gentry (86, 88-90) 972 8. Cindy Atteberry (90-93) 920 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.
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 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 20 kills, 12 digs vs. KU, 10/1 19 kills, 14 digs vs. BU, 10/6 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, 9/29 15 kills, 10 digs vs KU, 10/1 14 kills, 11 digs vs. BU, 10/6
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. 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.