May 29, 2002
Columbia, Mo.- University of Missouri head volleyball coach Susan Kreklow announced today the addition of sophomore defensive specialist Sara Parks to the MU roster. Parks finished the semester at Nebraska and has transfered from NU to join the Tiger squad in the fall when she will be eligible to compete immediately.
"We are very excited that Sara has decided to join the MU volleyball family," Kreklow said. "She is a tenacious competitor and will be a great addition to our program. Sara will definitely help solidify our team at the defensive specialist position and she possesses great athleticism and character."
Parks averaged 1.55 digs and had three services aces last season in 77 games for the Huskers. She played in both matches and six of the seven games the Tigers and Huskers played last season. She had a good outing when the Huskers came to Columbia on Oct. 24, picking up nine digs while handing out three assists.
She is a graduate of Papillion-LaVista High School in Omaha, Neb., where she was a three-sport athlete. Parks was a four-year letterwinner in volleyball and a letterwinner in basketball and track. She led the Monarchs to the 2000 Nebraska Class A volleyball state championship with 35 digs and nine kills in the title match. As a senior, she posted 381 digs, 234 kills and 38 aces in leading Papillion-LaVista to a 38-4 record. Parks earned All-Metro Conference and Class A all-state honors from the Omaha World-Herald. She was selected as the honorary captain of both teams.
"I am looking forward to having the opportunity to play at Missouri and for the Kreklows," Parks said. "They have made some great improvements to the program and I think MU is a great fit for me both academically and athletically."
Parks competed for coach Gwen Egbert and the Nebraska Juniors, who placed third in the 18-and-under division at the 1999 USVBA National Tournament. Parks competed for the 1999 Papillion-LaVista basketball team that qualified for the Class A state tournament. She also ran a leg on the Monarchs' 400-meter relay team that qualified for the state championships.
An exceptional student-athlete, Parks was also a member of the honor roll at Papillion-LaVista.