Oct. 11, 2001
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A Match the Size of Texas
The University of Missouri volleyball team travels to Austin, Texas, on Saturday for the first of four trips it will take to the Lone Star State this season. Mizzou will face the 9-5 Texas Longhorns with first serve set for 7 p.m. in the Gregory Gymnasium. The match holds major implications for both teams with Texas at 4-3 and Missouri at 4-4 in the Big 12. The squads are currently sitting in fifth and sixth place, respectively. The Tigers are currently in the midst of two-match winning streak. Mizzou swept both Iowa State and UMKC this week and has won three of its last five. Mizzou went 2-2 last season in the state of Texas sweeping the Longhorns on Nov. 11 of last season.
Missouri vs. Texas Match #18 * Oct. 13, 2001 * Austin, Texas. Participants: Missouri (13-4 overall, 4-4 in the Big 12 Conf.) Texas (9-5 overall, 4-3 in the Big 12 Conf.) Start Times: Oct. 13 Match set for 7 p.m. CST Series Info: Texas leads, 8-2 Last Meeting: Tigers win 3-0 in Austin, Texas (11-11-00) For More Information: MU-www.mutigers.com UT-www.texassports.com Coaches: Missouri: Susan Kreklow (SW Missouri State '84) 37-11 at MU (2nd season) 546-121 overall (11th seasons)
Texas: Jerritt Elliott (Cal State Northridge '91) 9-5 at Texas (1st season) 59-17 overall (3rd season)
A Look at the Longhorns Texas enters Saturday's matchup with the Tigers with a 9-5 overall record and a 4-3 Big 12 mark. After winning seven of its opening eight matches of the season, Texas bolted into the Top 25 climbing as high as No. 23. However, the Longhorns have dropped four of their last six contests and find themselves in the "receiving votes" category of the poll. The Longhorns are 1-4 against Top 25 teams in 2001 including back-to-back losses to No. 16 Texas A&M last Saturday and No. 23 Colorado on Wednesday.
Freshman Mira Topic leads the Longhorn attack averaging 4.29 kills and 3.81 digs per game. Kathyrn Wilson anchors a strong blocking front by averaging 1.27 blocks per game to rank fourth in the Big 12 while the team averages 2.9 stuffs per stanza.
Texas leads the all-time series with Mizzou, 8-2. However, the Tigers had their way with the Longhorns last season as it swept the season series from UT for the first time in school history.
Aces Wild
The Tigers are currently averaging 6.35 aces per match so far this season. Several Tigers have really picked it up from the service line as of late. Junior Lisa Morris leads the team in service aces with 22 and has averaged 2.5 service aces per match over the past four matches while senior Rachael Taylor has recorded five service winners in the past two matches
Business is Starting to Pick Up
The Tigers are one of the most efficient teams in the Big 12. After seeing its team hitting percentage drop to .250 following the Baylor match last Saturday, Mizzou has used two +.400 efforts (.433 against Iowa State and .403 against UMKC) to raise the percentage to .263, the second highest mark in the Big 12. Mizzou will need that efficient attack on Saturday against the Longhorns as Texas is one of the best blocking teams in the Big 12 averaging 2.98 blocks per game
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 13-4 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 6-4 since winning 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 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 sixth 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 it plays the top four teams in the Big 12 (at Texas on Saturday, No. 23 Colorado-10/17, at No. 17 Texas A&M-10/20, and No. 2 Nebraska-10/24) over the next two weeks.
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 eighth 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 currently tied sports the highest career hitting percentage in school history (.314) while senior Krista Johnson ranks fifth on that chart (.279). Myers has also jumped into the top 5 on the career block solos (64), total blocks (273) and blocks per game (1.08).
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 needs just 61 kills and 14 digs to become the only the second Tiger in school history to record 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs during the course of her career
MU 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- ) 939 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. You Are Cordially Invited...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- ) 986 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
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 1,049 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 37-1 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 Saturday against the Longhorns. The Kreklows are in their second year at the helm of the Tigers and sport a 37-11 mark (.770 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. UT Kills 992 735 Kills per gm. 16.0 15.3 Errors 332 343 Attacks 2505 1975 Hitting % .263 .198 Assists 859 673 Aces 106 79 Digs 1057 816 Block solo 40 32 Block assists 224 214 Blocks/gm 2.5 2.9
From Every Direction
Mizzou has shown the balance of...well...a Tiger this season offensively. Four Tigers are averaging at least 2.23 kills per game (Lisa Morris, 4.31 kpg, Christi Myers, 3.44 kpg, Kristen Johnson, 2.23 kpg and Mary Lauren Smith 2.72 kpg.) and four Tigers enter the match with Texas with a .300 or better hitting percentage. Sophomore setter Chrissy Elder leads the squad in assists averaging 12.28 assists per game and leads the team in hitting percentage with a .345 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 Up
Junior outside hitter Lisa Morris has been the one of the Tigers steadiest producers so far this season. Morris is averaging 4.31 kills per game overall. She has recorded 20 kills or more four times and has recorded seven double-doubles this season. She has also reached double-figures in 15 of Mizzou's 17 matches so far this season and ranks fourth in kills per game in the Big 12.
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 48 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 10 matches, she has averaged 13.7 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 gone 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 2001 season has been a 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 (3.20). Myers is also rewriting the Mizzou career blocking books. She is third in solo blocks (65), seventh in block assists (212) and third in blocks per game (1.08).
Tracking the Tigers
Last Time Out...
Tiger Volleyball Bounces Kangaroos
Columbia, Mo.-The University of Missouri volleyball team registered a hitting percentage of over .400 for the second straight match (.403, 57 kills-12 errors-112 attempts) en route to a 3-0 (30-24, 30-19, 30-17) sweep of the University of Missouri-Kansas City Kangaroos on Wednesday night. The Tigers have now swept two straight opponents and have won three of their last five matches.
The Tigers used their characteristic balanced offensive attack to take out the Kangaroos. Seven Tigers would record hitting percentages of better than .348 and four would record seven or more kills.
Mizzou would play to a 14-14 tie with UMKC to open Game 1. However, junior Lisa Morris would serve six straight points and the Tigers took a 20-14 lead. The Kangaroos would close within three at 22-19, but the Tigers would hold on taking Game 1, 30-24.
MU absolutely dominated Game 2 recording a .618 hitting percentage putting down 21 total kills with no errors on 34 attacks. Sophomore Mary Lauren Smith had a huge stanza putting down seven of her match-high 14 total kills on 10 attacks with no errors. Senior Naaron Branson also saw time in the front row and responded emphatically with six kills in the game. Branson would finish the night with seven kills, three digs and three total blocks. The Tigers would open the game with a 10-5 run and would not look back, taking a 30-19 Game 2 victory.
Mizzou would come out and play well in Game 3 as well leading 16-10 to open the third act. Christi Myers would then step to the service line and the Tigers would go on a 9-0 taking a 25-10 advantage and would take the game, 30-17.
Smith was excellent for Mizzou recording the second best hitting percentage of her career (.500) while also slating three total blocks. Lisa Morris reached double figures in kills for the 15th time in the Tigers 17 total matches on Wednesday putting down 10 kills. Morris also hit for a .348 percentage, picked up eight digs and along with senior defensive specialist Rachael Taylor, recorded a match-high three service aces apiece. Junior Christi Myers also continue to impress quietly putting down 12 kills and stuffing four total blocks in the Tigers 72-minute win.
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 match on Oct. 24, Nebraska and Kansas State matches 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, 10/6Triple-Doubles Christi Myers- 18 kills, 15 digs, 11 blocks vs. Texas A&M, 9/22
The 2001 Schedule
Mizzou is well into 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.