Dec. 8, 2004

Missouri junior Lindsey Hunter was named to the All-Central Region First Team and sophomore Jessica Vander Kooi received All-Region Honorable Mention, as announce by the American Volleyball Coaches' Association. The Tigers have had two players named to the All-Region team in each of the last three seasons.

Hunter led the Big 12 Conference and was fourth in the nation with a 14.43 assists per game average, which set a new MU school record. She was named to the All-Region First Team last season and earned Honorable Mention as a freshman in 2002. Last month, Hunter was selected to the All-Big 12 Conference Team for the third-consecutive season.

Vander Kooi, who was also named to the All-Big 12 First Team last month, was the Central Region Freshman of the Year last season. She finished second on the team in both kills per game (3.84) and digs per game (3.11) and led the Tigers with 19 double-doubles on the season.

Mizzou advanced to its fifth-straight NCAA Tournament and hosted First and Second Round matches at the Hearnes Center for the first time in school history last weekend. The Tigers defeated Arkansas (3-1) in Friday's opening round before falling to Louisville (3-1) on Saturday.

All-Central Region Team
Sabrina Apker, Southwest Missouri State
Melissa Elmer, University of Nebraska
Allie Griffin, University of Colorado
Vali Hejjas, Kansas State University
Bethany Howden, University of Texas
Lindsey Hunter, University of Missouri
Laura Jones, Texas A&M University
Melissa Munsch, Texas A&M University
Sarah Pavan, University of Nebraska
Jennifer Saleaumua, University of Nebraska
Mira Topic, University of Texas
Sara Younes, Wichita State University

Region Freshman of the Year: Sarah Pavan, Nebraska
Honorable Mention: Karen Augspurger (Wichita State), Dani Busboom (Nebraska), Gabby Guerre (Kansas State), Michelle Moriarty (Texas), Kelly Rikli (Illinois State), Jessica Vander Kooi (Missouri)