FEATURE: The Cool and Consistant Vander Kooi
9/23/2005 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Sept. 23, 2005
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The sky is the limit for this years Missouri Tigers Volleyball team. Knocking off top opponents has come down to a solid team effort, and one important factor in the Tigers success has been junior outside hitter Jessica Vander Kooi. Night in and night out consistent play is the cornerstone of Vander Kooi's game. Vander Kooi is the Lou Gehrig of volleyball for the Tigers, playing in all 68 matches possible during her Tiger career.
In addition to her dedication to the game, Vander Kooi has also been about as consistent as it comes in kills and digs this season. In the short amount of matches played this season, Vander Kooi already has 4 double-doubles. Stepping up in big games is another ingredient in Vander Kooi's arsenal as three of her double-doubles occurred against teams ranked in the top 15. Last year Vander Kooi recorded 18 double-doubles, a team high. In her career Vander Kooi has 33 double-doubles.
In the September 16 match at then-No. 15 Texas A&M, Vander Kooi had season highs in kills (18) and digs (17), factoring big in Tigers first all-time win College Station. Coming into this season though, Vander Kooi knew she had her work cut out for her as she was named to the Preseason All-Big 12 team. In addition, Vander Kooi was named to the AVCA's All-Central Region honorable-mention team and was an All-Big 12 first-team selection in 2004. Performing in big games is nothing new to Vander Kooi who in the first round of the 2003 NCAA Championships against UC-Irvine recorded 23 kills (current career high), 18 digs, five service aces, and five blocks. Vander Kooi's big-game performance will be needed as the Tigers play top-ranked opponents in both Big 12 play and into possible play in the NCAA Championships. The Tigers have made the NCAA Tournament every season Vander Kooi has played.
Vander Kooi is a native of Hinton, Iowa. Vander Kooi's midwestern roots are most likely the reason for her down to earth demeanor off the court. An international business major, Vander Kooi excels off the court also with Academic All-Big 12 honors. At Hinton High School, Vander Kooi was her class' valedictorian.
In addition, a sense of family is important to Vander Kooi, who calls her parents after games to keep them informed of the outcome. On the court, Vander Kooi looks to her parents as inspiration to keep herself focused and always reaching for her best performance.
With a busy family though Vander Kooi's parents only get to attend a select number of games. As a result, Vander Kooi always looks to make her parents proud even when they can't witness a Tigers victory in person. This inspiration has made Vander Kooi the player she is today.
Vander Kooi has enjoyed her time at Mizzou thus far and compares the team to a close family. Her freshman year she was helped along by older girls on the team and now she senses that she is an upperclassman because of the way in which younger girls look to her now for advice.
Looking towards the rest of the season Vander Kooi has a positive outlook and wants to help the team succeed as much as she can. Vander Kooi and the rest of Tiger team have the talent, dedication, and intelligence to go deep into post-season play.
