April 11, 2006

COLUMBIA, Mo.--The Missouri women's volleyball team started the 2006 spring season with an encouraging visit to the University of San Diego last weekend. The Tigers, 2005 NCAA Regional finalists, defeated all four teams it faced on Saturday, going 8-3 in games. Two of the Tiger victories came from 2005 NCAA-tournament field members Santa Barbara (2-1) and San Diego (2-1).

 

The other two victories came against Cal State-Fullerton (2-1) and UC-Riverside (2-0).

 

"Overall, I was pleased by how the weekend turned out," said Head Coach Wayne Kreklow. "For being the first time out this spring with a lot of new people filling some big spots, we competed well. [The trip] gave us a lot of insight on where we are now and what we need to continue to get better at.

 

"I felt our serving and passing were solid. Offensively, we have lots of room for improving, but that's a good thing. I think the tournament gave us a better look of what we need to focus on in the next few weeks. Offensively, it's going to take some time to get back to our normal tempo that we were used to in the past. I think in the next few weeks we'll have a great opportunity to get everyone comfortable, and I'm excited about that."

 

Mizzou will play in its final spring tournament this weekend in Fayetteville, Ark. Along with Arkansas, the Tigers will face a Lady `Back alumni team and Tulsa.

 

From April 19 to 27, the Tigers will play hosts to BeiHang University of China in their visit to Columbia. Throughout the week there will be many opportunities for the media, fans, and the community to interact with the team from the Far East. Many of those details will be released later. The trip will culminate with a goodwill, exhibition match with Missouri in the Hearnes Center at 6:30 p.m., on Wednesday, April 26. The match will also include a youth clinic that will be held prior.

 

 

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