Sept. 1, 2005
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They come from three different locations. They play three different positions. They took three different paths en route to Columbia. Despite this, freshman Sarah Entzeroth, Lei Wang and Megan Wilson have one objective in mind, to win.
Wang hails from Shanghai, China. She graduated from the Shanghai Sports School, following in the footsteps of Mizzou outside hitter Shen Danru. The 5'11" freshman has also played on the Chinese Junior national team. "The team went to Shanghai to visit one time, I kind of kept in touch with them. They needed a setter and this was a great opportunity for me." Wang said.
As if the pressure of coming into Mizzou's 21st-ranked program wasn't enough, Wang is also the heir apparent to Mizzou's all-time leading setter, senior Lindsey Hunter. "To be honest, I have no pressure, she is a senior and I'm a freshman and I have four years more." Wang said. "We're different, but she's pretty good."
A product of cornhusker country; Lincoln, Neb., Wilson joins the Mizzou volleyball team and reunites with her sister, junior Nicole Wilson. Although the family resemblance isn't identical, you won't need x-ray vision goggles to notice that Nicole's athleticism and talent has been passed onto Megan. "Sometimes it's awkward, because I think people are like `Oh she's following her older sister around, she can't do anything on her own.'" Wilson said. "Nicole and I are really close, we actually get along really well, on and off the court."
Wilson graduated from Lincoln Christian High School. The National Christian Schools Athletic Association named Wilson their National Player of the Year. Additionally, Wilson snagged all conference honors for volleyball and basketball and was second-team Super State selection.
One of the smallest players on the team, Sarah Entzeroth looks to make a large impact, hitting the Hearnes Center floor as a defensive specialist. Recruited from Duchesne High School in St. Louis, Entzeroth was a four-time all-district and all-conference selection. A third-team member of prepvolleyball.com's "Best Defensive Players in the Land" in 2004, Entzeroth looks to patrol the court looking for digs, hoping to lock down the Tigers defense in 2005.
"I'm just going to try to get better, whenever I get a chance to get on the court, I'm going to do my best," Entzeroth said. "Its hard having never sat before. We all came from being the stars on our teams. It's frustrating, but everyone here has done it. Our time will come, but you just have to stay positive."
Life for any freshman is not without the hectic adjustment to college life. For Wang, Wilson and Entzeroth, the challenge to becoming a Mizzou freshman is undoubtedly tougher. "I think I'm adjusting fairly well to school and stuff, the speed of the game is hard to adjust to but we're catching on quickly here." Wilson said. "School is pretty hard, I'm taking a lot of hours, but I think I'll be ok." Entzeroth added.
Regardless of how they got here, these three freshmen are looking to make an impact on this year's veteran team. Wilson foresees this year's Tigers, "Going really deep into the NCAA tournament. I believe our girls have so much experience." She said. Hopefully that experience and veteran leadership will rub off on the three bright additions, as they begin their careers as Tigers.