Missouri Volleyball Team Reports for Preseason Workouts
8/7/2001 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Aug. 7, 2001
With its season-opening match less than a month away (a Sept. 1 tilt at the Mountaineer Invitational against Temple), the University of Missouri volleyball team reported for preseason workouts today. The Tigers will go through a series of strength and agility tests and several different meetings today before beginning two-a-day practice tomorrow.
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 Coach 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 AVCA/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.
Middle Blocker
One of the keys to the Tiger's 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 and finished second at the Big 12 Outdoor Track and Field Championships with a jump 5-11 1/2".
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 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 (6-5) is the tallest MU player in volleyball history.
Setter
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 become the new leader of the Tiger offense. Elder made major strides during the spring 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.
Outside Hitter
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 powerful right-side hitter 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 freshman Shen Danru and 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.
Defensive Specialists
The Tiger's 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.
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 three that finished 2000 in the AVCA top 25. Mizzou will open the season at the Mountaineer Invitational on Sept. 1-2 in Morgantown, PA. They will take on four opponents (Temple, West Virginia, Akron and Wagner) in Morgantown that they have never faced before. MU then travels to the Best Inns Invitational the following weekend in Carbondale, Ill. and will face IUPUI, Western Kentucky and Southern Illinois.
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 7 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 line up 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.
