Oct. 16, 2001
Mizzou Welcomes No. 20 Colorado to Hearnes
The University of Missouri volleyball team looks to extend its current winning streak to four on Wednesday. The task will be a daunting one though as the Tigers welcome No. 20 Colorado to Columbia for the midweek matchup. The latest win in the Tigers streak was a 3-2 come-from-behind win over Texas in Austin on Saturday night. The Tigers have won three straight over the Longhorns and are 1-0 after the first of their four trips to state of Texas in the second half of the season. The Tigers had been 0-2 in 2001 in five-game matches, but would take a 10-4 Game 4 deficit and turn it into a five-game win over the Longhorns. Mizzou also broke a trend that had been haunting it the past two seasons. The Tigers had dropped 10 straight matches when dropping Game 1 of a match, but were able to buck that trend Saturday night with the win.
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Missouri vs. No. 20 Colorado Match #19 * Oct. 17, 2001 * Columbia, Mo. Participants: Missouri (14-4 overall, 5-4 in the Big 12 Conf.) Colorado (11-5 overall, 6-2 in the Big 12 Conf.) Start Times: Oct. 17 Match set for 7 p.m. CST Series Info: CU leads, 27-2 Last Meeting: Colorado wins, 3-0 in Boulder (11/25/00) Broadcast: Wednesday match can be heard on 1400 KFRU and at www.mutigers.com Coaches: Missouri: Susan Kreklow (SW Missouri State '84) 38-11 at MU (2nd season) 547-121 overall (11th seasons)
Colorado: Pi'i Aiu (Colorado '89) 90-45 at CU (5th season) 90-45 overall (5th season)
A Look at the Buffaloes
The Buffs are coming off of a Monday night road loss to No. 8 Colorado State. Despite the loss, Colorado enters Wednesday night's match as one of the hottest teams in the country. CU has won five of its last seven matches including wins over Kansas State and at No. 17 Texas A&M. Colorado has four players that are averaging over three kills per game and are led by sophomore Monique Gerlach who is averaging 3.51 kpg and 0.89 blocks per stanza. The Buffaloes will be without one of their major contributors though as senior Sonja Russell is out with an ankle sprain she experienced in the match against Texas last Wednesday.
CU has dominated the series with the Tigers. After winning its first matchup with the Buffaloes in 1986 (3-0), the Tigers dropped the next 26 matches in the series. However, the Tigers were able to split the season series last year sweeping the Buffaloes at home (3-0) and then CU returned the favor on their home court in the Tigers' last regular season game 2000.
Closing In On History
Senior Naaron Branson has definitely made her mark on the MU volleyball program during her four-year tenure. Branson is on pace to become only the second player in MU volleyball history to record 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs for her career. She needs 12 digs and 40 kills the rest of the season to accomplish the feat. The other Tiger in the 1,000 kill-1,000 dig club is Yvette Buhlig (88-90, 92) who is the all-time leader in both catergories with 1,478 kills and 1,149 digs for her career.
The senior currently leads the squad in digs (213) and digs per game (3.3). Branson had a huge match last Saturday night vs. Texas. The native of Fort Smith, Arkansas, put down a personal season-best 21 kills and picked up a career-high 22 digs in the Tiger five-game win. The double-double was the third of the season for her.
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- ) 960 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
MU All-Time Digs List 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- ) 988 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
Coming Up Aces
The Tigers are averaging 6.22 aces per match so far this season. Several Tigers have really picked it up from the service line. Junior Lisa Morris leads the team in service aces with 23 and has averaged 1.8 service aces per match over the past four matches. Senior Rachael Taylor has also been hot recording seven service winners in the past three matches while sophomore Chrissy Elder has gone in spurts in service aces, slating three service aces against Southern Illinois and Texas and a career-high four against Oklahoma last month.
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 used two +.400 efforts (.433 against Iowa State and .403 against UMKC) to raise the percentage to .263. The Tigers' percentage did fall off a bit this weekend, however, in their win over Texas as they recorded a .188 hitting percentage and currently sport a mark of .258, still good enough for second in the Big 12.
Tracking the Tigers
Last Time Out...
Branson Leads Gritty Tiger Comeback
Austin, Texas.- Senior Naaron Branson put down a season best 21 kills and picked up a career-high 22 digs as the University of Missouri volleyball team battled back from a two games to one deficit to defeat the University of Texas, 3-2 (25-30, 31-29, 24-30, 30-26, 17-15) in Austin on Saturday night. The win marks the Tigers' third straight over the Longhorns over the past two seasons. The Tigers improve to 14-4 overall and 5-4 in the Big 12. The Tigers also run their current winning streak to three matches and have won five of their last seven battles.
The Tigers had been 0-2 so far this season in five gamers, but would take a 10-4 Game 4 deficit and turn it into a five-game win. Mizzou also broke a trend that had been haunting it the past two seasons. The Tigers had dropped 10 straight matches when dropping Game 1 of a match, but were able to buck that trend tonight with the win.
The Tigers and Longhorns would play to a 6-6 tie to open Game 1 in Gregory Gymnasium. The Horns would then go on a 7-2 run to take a 13-8 lead. Two kills by junior Christi Myers would pull the Tigers close, 25-21, but Texas would hold Mizzou off and take the game, 30-25. Branson would pace the Tigers in Game 1 putting down six kills while recording seven digs. The Tigers struggled overall offensively in Game 1 registering a .140 hitting percentage to the Longhorns .262 mark.
Mizzou would jump out to a 5-2 lead only to have the Longhorns reel them back in and take a 16-13 advantage. However, Mizzou would battle back and the two squads would find themselves knotted at 29. Senior defensive specialist Rachael Taylor, who had two service aces on the night, would check back in and serve Mizzou to the two straight points it needed and the Tigers would take Game 2, 31-29.
Besides taking a 1-0 lead to open Game 3, the Tigers would trail the Longhorns throughout Game 3 and drop the stanza, 30-25. Mizzou trailed by as many as eight points (21-13) before charging back on the strength of good serving by sophomore Chrissy Elder down only one, 22-21. The Longhorns would go on a 8-3 run the rest of the way, however, and take the game.
The Tigers found themselves in a hole once again to open Game 4 as the Longhorns took a 10-4 lead. Sophomore Ashlee Johns would come in and provide a huge lift for Mizzou as it would claw back to within one at 10-9. Mizzou would use inspired play from Johns and go on a 21-16 to end Game 4 and even the match at two games apiece.
The Tigers and Longhorns would find themselves tied eight times during the final stanza of the match and for the last time at 15-15. Two straight kills by junior Lisa Morris gave the Tigers a 17-15 game win and a 3-2 match win.
Defensive Juggernauts
The Tigers continue to be one of the best defensive teams in the Big 12. Mizzou has limited its 2001 opponents to a cumulative .162 hitting percentage, second only to Nebraska, which has held its opponents to a .101 mark. Mizzou currently stands second in total blocks in the Big 12 (162.0) and leads the Big 12 in total digs (1,143).
Two of the key elements to the Tigers successful defense are the blocking of middle blocker Christi Myers and the digging of outside hitter Naaron Branson. Myers currently ranks third in blocks per game in the Big 12 (1.30) and leads the league in block solos (16). Branson ninth in the digs per game category (3.33) but is second in total digs (213).
The Tale of the Tape
MU vs. CU Kills 1062 1021 Kills per gm. 15.9 17.02 Errors 365 429 Attacks 2702 2440 Hitting % .258 .243 Assists 920 948 Aces 112 80 Digs 1143 933 Block solo 42 27 Block assists 240 265 Blocks/gm 2.4 2.66
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 (3.61 kpg) and also ranks sixth on the career digs per game chart (2.66 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 sports the second highest career hitting percentage in school history (.307) while senior Krista Johnson ranks fourth on that chart (.280). Myers has also jumped into the top 5 on the career block solos (65), total blocks (283) and blocks per game (1.08).
You Are Cordially Invited...
The University of Missouri volleyball squad is ranked 26th 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 1-10. 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 Buffaloes. The Kreklows are in their second year at the helm of the Tigers and sport a 38-11 mark (.775 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).
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, 4.14 kpg, Christi Myers, 3.33 kpg, Kristen Johnson, 2.23 kpg and Mary Lauren Smith 2.81 kpg.) and four Tigers enter the match with Colorado with a .300 or better hitting percentage. Sophomore setter Chrissy Elder leads the squad in assists averaging 12.17 assists per game and leads the team in hitting percentage with a .341 mark.
The Cardiac Kids
The Missouri volleyball team 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 4.14 kills per game overall. She has recorded 20 kills or more four times and has recorded eight double-doubles this season. She has also reached double-figures in 16 of Mizzou's 18 matches so far this season and ranks fifth 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 (3.61 kpg) and needs just 37 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 five matches, she has averaged 12.2 kills per match, 9.40 digs per match and 4.4 total blocks per match. Myers has also recorded four 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 second highest career hitting percentage (.307) in MU history and jumped into third on the kills per game list (3.18). Myers is also rewriting the Mizzou career blocking books. She is third in solo blocks (65), fourth in block assists (217) and third in blocks per game (1.08).
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 Wednesday, 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. Akron, 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 54 assists, 12 digs vs. UT 10/13 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 11 kills, 10 digs vs. UT, 10/13 Naaron Branson- 15 kills, 21 digs vs. Akron, 9/2 10 kills, 12 digs vs. W. Kent, 9/8 21 kills, 22 digs vs. UT, 10/13 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 10 kills, 12 digs vs UT, 10/13 Triple-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 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.