May 17, 2006
COLUMBIA, Mo.--Still three months until the University of Missouri volleyball team hits the court again coming off their 25-5 season, reaching the NCAA regional final in 2005. But, that doesn't stop the news from coming to Mizzou. Recently graduated Lisa Boyd won national recognition as an All-American Strength and Conditioning Athlete of the Year award winner, soon-to-be senior Jessica Vander Kooi has recently been added to USA Volleyball's A2-training team roster, and departed senior Lindsey Hunter will be with the USA National team in Illinois to take on Poland later this month.
Boyd Wins Award from National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
Lisa Boyd (St. Louis, Mo.) was awarded the All-American Strength and Conditioning Athlete of the Year award recently by the NSCA. The departed senior was one of 242 collegiate athletes from 160 schools to win the award that celebrates a student-athletes dedication to strength training and conditioning.
"Lisa is a gifted athlete that has committed herself to becoming a complete volleyball player by developing her physical, mental, and leadership potential," said Shannon Turley, former Mizzou volleyball strength and conditioning coach. "Her consistent focus, enthusiasm, coachability, and mental discipline in her training has led to all-time team and personal records that have set a standard of excellence for the volleyball program."
As a middle-blocker, Boyd leaves Mizzou as one of the most accurate hitters in school history. Her .317 career hitting percentage ranks third all-time at Mizzou. In 2004, Boyd led the Big 12 and set a new Mizzou single-season school record in hitting percentage with a .384 clip.
Vander Kooi Gets Called to USA Volleyball's A2-team
Soon-to-be senior Jessica Vander Kooi was called by USA Volleyball recently to join the national A2-training team within the next couple of weeks. The A2-training team is considered as USA Volleyball's second team, and for three years consecutive the Mizzou will have a person on the roster. Recently departed senior Lindsey Hunter was on the team in 2004 and 2005, and this season joined the national team.
Hunter and USA Volleyball Takes on Poland in Illinois Later in May
Tiger volleyball fans have a good opportunity to catch post-collegian Lindsey Hunter in action when the USA Volleyball team will take on Poland in Rosemont, Ill., on May 26. The match will serve as an official kick off to the season for America's team who ranks No. 5 in the world. Poland is ranked No. 9 in the world and the two teams split matches last season.
The match will take place at Allstate Arena in Rosemont, occurring at 8 p.m., central on May 26.
Tickets for the match are on sale now and available at the Allstate Arena box office (walk-up service only), by calling Ticketmaster at 312-559-1212 or online at http://www.ticketmaster.com/venue/32958/.
Tickets are priced at $65, $50, $40, $30 and $15. There is a $5 discount for groups and students (except for the $15 tickets). Tickets for children 6-years-old and under are only $2. For more information, please call the Allstate Arena Information Line at 847-635-6601.
Team USA (26-15) finished the 2005 season by winning 15 of its last 17 matches, including a stunning 3-0 win over 2004 Olympic gold medalist China in November at the Grand Champions Cup.
The 2006 schedule brings even greater challenges as Hall of Famer "Jenny" Lang Ping embarks on her second year as USA head coach. Her squad will compete at the Pan American Cup in Puerto Rico in June, the World Grand Prix in Asia and Italy in August and September and the World Championships in Japan in October and November.
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