Aug. 3, 2005
DALLAS - The Big 12 Conference released its preseason coaches' poll for volleyball on Wednesday with good news for Missouri. The conference coaches picked the Tigers to finish second in the conference to Nebraska, earning all-but-two second place votes. In addition, senior Lindsey Hunter and junior Jessica Vander Kooi earned spots on the Preseason All-Big 12 Team.
The second-place preseason nod is the highest in school history since joining the Big 12 in 1996. Nebraska was selected as the coaches' unanimous pick to win their eighth Big 12 title. Entering its tenth-anniversary season, the Big 12 had seven teams make the NCAA Tournament in 2004 in addition to six teams making the post-season national top 25.
"It's certainly flattering to think that the other coaches' around the league think so highly of your team," said Wayne Kreklow, Associate Head Coach. "It's definitely something the players and everyone associated with the team should feel good about and realize the respect their getting. However, on paper we may look real good, but, again, it's on paper. It's fun to make predictions based on rosters and last year's performance, and it's important to us, but in the big picture we realize it means nothing."
The Tigers finished the 2004 Big 12 season tied for third with Texas A&M with a 14-6 conference record, adding to a 20-9 overall record. Making their fifth-consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament, the Tigers return six of seven starters for the 2005 season.
For the second year in a row, Lindsey Hunter (Papillion, Neb.) was selected to a spot on the Preseason All-Big 12 Team. Hunter has led the conference the past three years in assists. In addition, Hunter earned second-team AVCA All-America honors last year.
Jessica Vander Kooi (Hinton, Iowa) was named to the preseason all-conference team for the first time in her career. Recording 18 kill-dig double-doubles last season, Vander Kooi was a first-team All-Big 12 selection last year in addition to being named to AVCA's All-Central Region team.
The Tigers will open the season by hosting the annual Tiger Invitational in the Hearnes Center, September 2-4. Utah and Tennessee will come to Columbia fresh off respective conference championships, and probable bids into the national preseason top 25. Missouri's conference season will begin September 14th when the Tigers will host Iowa State. For ticket information, visit mutigers.com or call 1-800-CAT-PAWS.
2005 Big 12 Preseason Coaches' Poll 1) Nebraska - 100 pts 2) Missouri - 88 3) Texas - 77 4) Texas A&M - 72 5) Kansas - 68 6) Kansas State - 56 7) Baylor - 43 Colorado - 43 9) Oklahoma - 24 10) Texas Tech - 21 11) Iowa State - 13
Preseason Player of the Year: Sarah Pavan, Nebraska, OH, 6-5, So., Kitchener, Ontario/Forest Heights Collegiate Institute Preseason Newcomer of the Year: Jennifer Todd, Texas, MB, 6-2, Jr., Henderson, Nev./Washington State Preseason Freshman of the Year: Jordan Larson, Nebraska, OH, 6-2, Fr., Hooper, Neb./Logan View
PRESEASON ALL-BIG 12 TEAM
Name, School Pos. Ht. Cl. Hometown/Previous School
Desiree Guilliard-Young, Baylor MB 6-5 Jr. Berkeley, Calif./Berkeley
Allie Griffin, Colorado RS 6-0 Sr. Baton Rouge, La./Santa Fe Christian (San Diego, Calif.)
Ashley Nu'u Colorado S 5-10 Jr. Aurora, Colo./Smoky Hill
Josi Lima, Kansas MB 6-0 Sr. Sao Paulo, Brazil/Avanco
Lindsey Hunter, Missouri S 5-10 Sr. Papillion, Neb./Papillion-LaVista
Jessica Vander Kooi, Missouri OH 6-2 Jr. Merill, Iowa/Hinton
Melissa Elmer, Nebraska MB 6-2 Sr. Fort Wayne, Ind./Northrop
Sarah Pavan, Nebraska OH 6-5 So. Kitchener, Ontario/Forest Heights Collegiate Institute
Jennifer Saleaumua, Nebraska OH 5-11 Sr. National City, Calif./Bonita Vista
Joanna Schmitt, Oklahoma OH 5-10 Jr. Cottage Grove, Wis./Deerfield
Brandy Magee, Texas MB 6-2 Jr. Mission Viejo, Calif./Capistrano Valley
Michelle Moriarty, Texas S 5-10 So. Houston, Texas/Stratford
Laura Jones, Texas A&M OH 6-2 Sr. Arlington, Texas/Martin