FEATURE: Yang Smiling Through Sophomore Season
11/9/2005 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Nov. 9, 2005
Unlike most people starting off in a new place, Na Yang knew exactly what to expect the first time she stepped onto the volleyball court at Hearnes Center. That's because former Chinese International Team teammate Shen Danru told her what Mizzou volleyball was all about. That made her decision to come here one of the easiest ones she has ever made.
"She told me the situation here and how the system works," said Yang. "Shen told me what it was like here, and then the coaches recruited me. It made me feel a lot more comfortable."
Yang became the second player from the Eastern Hemisphere to play at Mizzou, with Danru being the first. It also didn't hurt that two of the assistant coaches, Chen Feng and Deng Yang, are also from China
A year into her career at Mizzou, Yang is turning into a prolific scorer. After averaging 2.39 kills per game last year at her outside hitter position, Yang has pushed that up to an astounding 3.93 per game this year, ranking fifth in the Big 12 in that category. Yang's hitting percentage is at .291 so far this year, up from .239 a year ago. In addition, Yang has scored 10 or more kills in 17-of-21 matches this season, up from nine double-digit kill totals from 2004.
And, she doesn't show any signs of slowing down. She credits that spike in scoring to the strength training that she went through after her freshman year.
"My strength that I got from lifting really helped me a lot. It gave me a lot of power, which helps a lot. My abs and my legs got really strong and I got more on my jump."
If it weren't for an injury that caused her to miss substantial time last season, she might be even more ahead of the curve.
Beginning her second year in America, Yang also credits an increase in maturity and comfort as keys to her success.
"I think I've matured a lot since I've been here," said Yang. "Being more mature has helped me do better both on the court and in the classroom, which is just as important to me."
She also said that getting a chance a to learn the language and the culture better has made her more comfortable and lead to a better playing-level.
She also has big plans off the court for her academic career. The sophomore plans on becoming an international business major and wants to work in that field if she doesn't continue playing volleyball after her time at Mizzou is done.
"I started taking the international business courses here, and I really like those. I'll probably end up doing something in that area after volleyball, whenever that is."
Only good things await Yang here at Mizzou. She still has two more years of eligibility left after this season, and she will only continue to get better. If she can continue to increase her average in both kills and blocks she could become one of the best the Tigers volleyball program has ever seen.
