Oct. 6, 2001
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Mizzou Battles Baylor on Saturday
The University of Missouri volleyball team has reached a crucial point in its season. After their first 14 matches, the Tigers are 11-3 overall and 3-3 in the Big 12 putting them sixth place in the conference. Mizzou is coming off of a quality loss to No. 2 Nebraska on Wednesday (30-15, 30-24, 35-33) and now host the 9-4 Baylor Bears tonight. The Tigers have 17 regular season matches remaining and will play six of their next eight matches in the friendly confines of the Hearnes Center. Mizzou is 3-1 so far at home in 2001, 5-0 in neutral court showdowns and 3-2 on the road.
The MU Athletic Department and the Tiger volleyball program will attempt to break the all-time Missouri volleyball attendance record against the Bears. Over the past two seasons, the University of Missouri volleyball team is 16-2 at home in the Hearnes Center and has entertained eight of the 10 largest crowds in MU volleyball history. The Tigers drew the largest crowd in school history on Oct. 25, 2000, against the then No. 1 Nebraska Cornhuskers as 2,009 Mizzou maniacs passed through the turnstiles to watch the match.
A Look at the Bears
After opening the season at 8-0 and winning their first two tournaments, the Bears had lost four straight matches until last night when they took out Iowa State in Ames (30-16, 30-18, 30-20). Baylor has passed through a brutal gauntlet of matches in the conference. The Bears have dropped matches to much improved Texas and Colorado squads and Top 20 teams Texas A&M and Nebraska. The Bears are led by sophomore outside hitter Stevie Nicholas, who was averaging an unbelievable 5.26 kills per game heading into ISU's match with Iowa State last night. Nicholas has also been outstanding on defense as well averaging 3.49 digs per game and 0.54 blocks per game.
BU holds the advantage in the all-time series between the two at 6-4. Baylor took the first four matches of the series which began with the inception of the Big 12 in 1996. However, Mizzou has won four of the last six matchups between the two including the Tigers first ever season sweep of Baylor in 2000. Following the Tigers' first win over the Bears last season, Mizzou received votes in the AVCA/USA Today Coaches Poll for the first time since 1982.
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 11-0 this season and an astounding 35-0 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 Huskers. The Kreklows are in their second year at the helm of the Tigers and sport a 35-10 mark (.777 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. BU Kills 830 730 Kills per gm. 16.0 17.38 Errors 288 302 Attacks 2116 1780 Hitting % .256 .240 Assists 730 663 Aces 88 110 Digs 897 696 Block solo 30 11 Block assists 189 131 Blocks/gm 2.4 1.82
Like a Cat
Mizzou has shown the balance of...well...a Tiger this season offensively. Four Tigers are averaging at least 2.38 kills per game (Lisa Morris, 4.25 kpg, Christi Myers, 3.41 kpg, Kristen Johnson, 2.38 kpg and Mary Lauren Smith 2.77 kpg.) and three Tigers enter the match with Baylor with a .300 or better hitting percentage. Sophomore setter Chrissy Elder leads the squad in assists averaging 12.47 assists per game and leads the team in hitting percentage with a .361 mark.
Missouri Reschedules Volleyball Matches
The Missouri volleyball team has rescheduled its match with Iowa State University that was postponed following the tragic events that gripped our nation. Mizzou will host the Cyclones of Iowa State next Monday at 7:00 p.m.
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.
Morris Magnified
Junior outside hitter Lisa Morris has been the one of the Tigers most steady producers so far this season. Morris is averaging 4.25 kills per game overall. She has recorded 20 kills or more four times and has recorded six 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 94 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 eight matches, she has averaged 15.33 kills per match, 9.56 digs per match and 4.88 total blocks per match. Myers has also recorded two 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 eight matches have been microcosms of Myers' career up to this point. Myers currently holds the 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 currently fifth in solo blocks (61), seventh in block assists (202) and third in blocks per game (1.06)
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 eight matches, Sowers has averaged 12 digs per match including a career-high 18 against Southern Illinois in the championship match of the SIU Best Inns Invitational.
Dynamite Debut
Sophomore transfer Mary Lauren Smith has jumped onto the Big 12 volleyball scene in a big way. The 6-2 outside hitter is averaging 2.79 kill per game in all matches this season.
Smith has been especially effective over the past six matches. Smith had a breakout 13-kill, seven-block performance against Texas A&M on Sept. 19 and has averaged 13.5 kills per match since. She put down a career-high 20 terminations against Oklahoma in the Tigers 3-1 win over the Sooners and is currently bolstering a .261 hitting percentage in conference matches
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 3-0 loss to Nebraska on Monday, the Tigers are 11-3 overall and 3-3 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...
Nebraska Blocks Tiger's Quest for Third Straight Win
Lincoln, Neb.-The University of Missouri volleyball team dropped only its third match of the season on Wednesday night to No. 2 and defending National Champion Nebraska, 3-0 (30-15, 30-24, 35-33). The Tigers fall to 11-3 overall and 3-3 in the Big 12 while Nebraska improves to 12-1 overall and 5-0 in the Big 12.
The story of the match had to be the blocking of Nebraska. The Huskers recorded 20.0 total team blocks, tying a Big 12 record for total team blocks in a three-game match, which is also held by the 2000 Tigers vs. Kansas State and Arkansas State.
In Game 1, Mizzou would hang with the Huskers early, down by only one point at 4-5. However, NU would go on a 25-11 run the rest of the game and take Game 1, 30-15. Nebraska recorded eight total blocks in the game and held Mizzou to a -.056 hitting percentage. Christi Myers did provide a bright spot for Missouri putting down four kills, two service aces and recorded a .375 hitting percentage in the game.
The Tigers played some of their best volleyball of the season in Game 2 and took leads of 16-12 and 24-20 on the defending National Champions. However, Nebraska used two block solos and a kill from Metcalf as part of a 10-0 run to take Game 2, 30-24. The Tigers did hold Nebraska to a .200 hitting percentage in Game 2 and recorded two total team blocks.
The Tigers would find themselves down 23-18 to start Game 3 once again struggling with the huge Nebraska block. However, Mizzou would battle back with a 13-6 run and take a 31-30 lead on a Christi Myers kill. The Huskers would tie the match and the two squads would exchange points on four rallies to battle to a 33-33 tie. Junior Amber Holmquist would put down a kill for Nebraska and Metcalf would close the door on the Tigers comeback effort with a service ace to take the game, 35-33 and the match, 3-0.
Junior Lisa Morris just missed her seventh double-double of the season tying with Metcalf for a match-high in kills (13) while recording nine digs and three total blocks. Christi Myers pitched in with nine kills while sophomore Ashlee Johns put down five kills in Game 3 as part of the dramatic Mizzou comeback try.
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 (157) and digs per game (3.20) and has jumped up into fifth place on the MU career kills list. She also jumped into the Top 10 in digs and is now in seventh place on the MU all-time charts.
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- ) 930 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- ) 779All-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. Sherri Gentry (86, 88-90) 972 7. Naaron Branson (98- ) 932 8. Cindy Atteberry (90-93) 920 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 1,0491994-Present As of Sept. 22, 2001
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 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, 10/1Triple-Doubles Christi Myers- 18 kills, 15 digs, 11 blocks vs. Texas A&M, 9/22