Missouri Volleyball Heads East for West Virginia's
8/28/2001 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Aug. 28, 2001
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Missouri Volleyball Heads East for West Virginia's "Mountaineer Invitational"
To quote the late John Denver in his song "Country Road, Take me Home," Denver sings of his fondness for West Virginia...
"Almost Heaven, West Virginia Blue Ridge Mountains, Shanandoah River"
The University of Missouri volleyball team hopes to leave West Virginia on Sun., Sept. 2, with that same kind of love for the Mountain State. The Tigers open the 2001 season in Morgantown on Saturday in the Mountaineer Invitational. The five-team, two-day invitational marks the beginning of the Tigers bid for a return trip to the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers reached the post season in 2000 for the first time in school history.
Missouri is 25-15 since 1991 in season-opening tournaments, including a perfect 3-0 mark last season at the adidas Hilton ORU Classic in Tulsa, Okla. The Tigers' have a combined all-time record of...well, 1-1 vs. opponents in the Mountaineer Classic field. Mizzou has faced the Owls of Temple twice, picking up a win over TU on Sept. 21, 1979 in Carbondale, Ill. and then falling 0-3 to the Owls on Sept. 7, 1997. MU will face Akron, West Virginia and Wagner for the first time in school history during the course of the weekend. Although a team's previous season mark has no bearing on the task at hand (see MU's 2000 season), the Tigers' opponents at the Mountaineer Classic had a combined record of 48-69 last season.
2001 Mountaineer Invitational Tournament #1 * Sept. 1-2, 2001 * Morgantown, WV Participants: Missouri (0-0 overall, 0-0 in the Big 12) West Virginia (0-0 overall, 0-0 in the Big East) Temple (0-0 overall, 0-0 in the Atlantic 10) Wagner (0-0 overall, 0-0 in the Northeast Conference) Start Times: Sept. 1 Temple match set to start at 3 p.m. CST. W. Virginia match set to start at 7 p.m. CST Sept. 2 Akron match set to start at 9 a.m. CST Wagner match set to start at 4:30 p.m. CST Series Info: MU vs. Temple-Series tied, 1-1 MU vs. W. Virginia-First Meeting MU vs. Akron-First Meeting MU vs. Wagner-First Meeting Via the Web: In-match scoring will be provided at www.mutigers.com. Coaches: Missouri: Susan Kreklow (SW Missouri State `84) 24-7 at MU (2nd season) 533-177 overall (11 seasons)Temple: Bob Bertucci (Springfield College `74) 137-53 at TU (7th season) 489-243 overall (23rd season)
West Virginia: Veronica Hammersmith (Kansas) 480-412 at WVU (27th season) 480-412 overall (27th season)
Akron: Mike Sweitzer (Akron `90) 181-143 at AU (11th season) 181-143 overall (11th season)
Wagner: Lauris Murnieks (Wagner `88) 58-205 at WC (10th season) 58-205 overall (10th season)
A Look at the Mountaineers
After finishing the 2000 season 8-17, Head coach Veronica Hammersmith and company have the task of turning things around. With close to 70 percent of the team made up of underclassmen, the veteran players will have to set the tone and provide an example for their younger teammates.
Krista Smith returns to the Mountaineer rotation as the lone senior with playing experience under her belt. The Bay City, Mich., native, finished second on the team in blocks (57) and third in kills (161). She looks to continue her effective hitting and strong blocking ability.
A Look at the Zips
A young but talented Akron Zip squad will take the floor for Mike Sweitzer, who enters his 11th season at Akron, this year. With no seniors on the roster, Akron will look to a group of experienced juniors to lead the way. The Zips are looking to better last season's 16-14 finish and extend a streak of three-consecutive trips to the MAC Tournament.
A Look at the Seahawks
The 2001 Wagner College women's volleyball team will look to rebound from a difficult 2000 campaign. Head coach Lauris Murnieks, now in his tenth season, brings back six letterwinners, including four starters. Those six players, along with the addition of three quality freshmen should vault the Green & White back into playoff contention.
The Seahawks will look to seniors and returning starters Jessica Vega, Beth Hayes, Kara Wagner and sophomore Michelle Wilk to lead the club that finished the 2000 regular season with a record of 4-27.
A Look at the Owls
The Temple volleyball team followed suit with the Mizzou volleyball squad in that it also took a two-week odyssey to China as part of its preseason schedule. The Owls arrived at Beijing International Airport on August 13 and traveled the country playing and visiting places of interest. The Owls returned to American soil on Sunday, August 26, just in time to begin Fall semester classes. The Owls finished 2000 with a 20-11 mark and a 13-3 mark in the Atlantic 10 Conference finishing third. The Owls are coached by Bob Bertrucci.
Tigers Ranked Fourth in Big 12 Coaches Preseason Poll
Dallas, Texas. -The University of Missouri volleyball team picked up a fourth-place preseason Big 12 ranking in a vote by league head coaches released by the conference office on Tues., Aug. 7. The Tigers received 69 votes, tying the Kansas State Wildcats for the fourth of 11 spots. After being picked to finish ninth heading into last season and grabbing a tie for second in the conference, head volleyball coach Susan Kreklow said she is excited about the challenge of continuing the upward swing the program is experiencing.
Defending Big 12 and National Champion Nebraska received 10 of the 11 first place votes while Texas A&M, who was picked to finish second, had one first-place vote. Colorado grabbed the third spot after finishing in a two-way for third in the Big 12 last season while K-State and Mizzou rounded out the top five spots. The polling was based on a 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 system with a first-place vote receiving 10 points. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team.
The Switzerland Factor
Much like the country of Switzerland during World War II, the Tigers had great success on neutral fronts last season. Mizzou went 3-1 on impartial floors, picking up a championship at the adidas Hilton Oral Roberts Classic on Sept. 1-2 of last season and losing only once, that coming in the NCAA Tournament to Utah State, 3-2. The Tigers look to continue that neutral court success in 2001 with five neutral site match-ups set for this season.
Picking Up Where They Left Off
Junior All-Big 12 First-Team selection Lisa Morris and All-Big 12 Honorable Mention performer Christi Myers look to pick up right where they left off in 2000. Morris averaged the 4.40 kills per game last season, the second highest kpg.-average in school history. Morris was also solid from the serving line recording a team-high 37 service aces.
Myers provides a huge block in the middle for Mizzou. The 6-1 junior finished the 2000 campaign with 138 total blocks, placing her in the Mizzou All-Time Top Ten in both total blocks and blocks per game after playing only two years at Mizzou.
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 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 Katherine's on the team (Wingert and Sowers), but fortunately, Miss Sowers goes by Katie.
China, West Virginia and Many Points in Between
After a road trip of astronomical proportions in May (to China) and facing some of the world's top players, Mizzou is ready for its 2001 schedule. The campaign features six teams (Nebraska, Texas A&M, Kansas State, Texas Tech, Colorado and SEMO) that qualified for the 2000 NCAA Tournament and six that were ranked in the AVCA Preseason Top 35. Mizzou will open the season at the Mountaineer Invitational this Saturday and Sunday in Morgantown, Pa. They will take on three opponents (West Virginia, Akron and Wagner) in Morgantown that they have never faced before. MU then travels to the Best Inns Invitational next weekend in Carbondale, Ill., and will face IUPUI, Western Kentucky and Southern Illinois.
The 2001 Schedule
Following its two opening tournaments, Mizzou will once again take on the tough Big 12 Conference in the double round robin format utilized by the Big 12 in volleyball. The Tigers open Big 12 play at rival Kansas on Sept. 12 but will then have 7 of their next 10 matches in the friendly confines of the Hearnes Center. 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 heading into the upcoming season. 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 Tiger's 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.
The Kreklows will look to a talented and experienced senior class to lead the 2001 squad back to the NCAA Tournament, a place no MU squad had been until last season. Last year's team captain, Heather Gerber, and versatile defensive player Annette Luyten, along with Jen Gerlach and Jana VerBrugge were lost to graduation. However, the Tigers return five starters and seven players who saw significant playing time during the 2000 season. Seniors Naaron Branson, Krista Johnson, Kristen Johnson, Rachael Taylor, Katie Sowers and Nikki Myhra will play key roles in the continuance of the turnaround that has been set in motion.
Mighty Good Middles One of the keys to the Tigers overall improvement lies in their blocking. Junior middle blocker Christi Myers played a huge role in last season's offensive and defensive schemes and had a breakout season in 2000 leading the team in hitting percentage (.363), blocks (138), and solo blocks (40). Myers was named All-Big 12 honorable mention while slating the second-best season hitting percentage in school history. Myers also is a high jumper for the Mizzou track team. She picked up a second-place finish at the 2001 Big 12 Outdoor Track and Field Championships earlier this spring.
Krista Johnson will also provide a very athletic presence at the net. Johnson will look to regain her early 2000 form when she averaged 7.48 kills per match through the first 19 matches. KJ finished the season with a bang, however, putting down seven kills and seven total blocks against Utah State in the NCAA Tournament.
The Tigers have several young players who will also look to contribute in the middle this season. Freshmen Jenny Duitsman (6-0), Lisa Boyd (6-2) and Loretta McGovern (6-1 will also play outside hitter) will add size and athleticism for the Tigers at middle blocker. However, standout Lindsey Noll will cast the tallest shadow in Tiger camp. Noll, who is 6-5, is the tallest MU player in volleyball history.
Setting the Table
The Tigers transition game and quick offensive tempo that was established in 2000 ran directly through last year's senior setter, Heather Gerber. With the departure of Gerber, sophomore Chrissy Elder will be looked to as the new leader of the Tiger offense. Elder has made major strides during spring and preseason workouts working with assistant coach Deng Yang to prepare for 2001. She can also provide offense for the Tigers with great jumping ability and a good swing at the setter position. The Kreklows also look for talented incoming freshman Jenny Bybee to be a valuable back-up for Elder during 2001 season.
On the Outside Looking In
Balance and efficiency were the keys for the Tiger offense last season as they had four players who averaged 3.00 kills or more per game and five players who hit better than .300 on the season.
After being one of the thinnest positions last season for Mizzou, outside hitter has become one of the deepest over the off season. Junior outside hitter and all-Big 12 first team selection Lisa Morris recorded the second-highest single-season kills-per-game average in school history last season averaging 4.40 kpg overall and 4.77 kpg in Big 12 competition.
In addition to Morris, the Tigers also return the left-handed Naaron Branson. Branson had a huge second half last season averaging 3.37 kills per game over the last 17 matches of the season and will provide a great athletic presence at the net and a tremendous amount of experience for the Tigers.
Kristen Johnson (3.40 kpg in 2000) returns from knee surgery and will look to regain her early 2000 season form. Despite her season- threatening injury, Johnson was still a finalist for Big 12 newcomer of the year in 2000. Sophomore Ashlee Johns stepped in last season and provided a much-needed spark for Mizzou averaging 3.29 kpg at outside hitter and will be looked to as a catalyst once again. With talented sophomore-transfer Mary Lauren Smith also entering the fray, the Tigers could have one of the most talented outside-hitter corps in the Big 12.
The Specialists
The Tigers are very experienced at defensive specialist. The lineup at DS includes three seniors: Rachael Taylor, Katie Sowers and Nikki Myhra. Taylor was a member of the starting six last season and averaged nearly two digs per game while finishing second on the squad in service aces (34) .
Sowers was valuable substitute off the bench for Mizzou when the Tigers needed a quality pass. The academic All-Big 12 selection finished 2000 with 69 digs and seven service aces, four of which came against Iowa State on Oct. 28.
Myhra will also provide depth for Mizzou defensively. The Colorado Springs, Colo., native had her best match of the 2000 season in the Tigers' first-ever sweep of Texas where her tough serving was a key factor in the three-game win.
