Aug. 14, 2006
Online Media Guide | Season Schedule
COLUMBIA, Mo.--Missouri head coach Wayne Kreklow will tell you, the key to the most-successful volleyball season in Tiger history in 2005 had a lot to do with the previous experience, top to bottom, of his nightly lineup. Three of those elements to the day-to-day life of Mizzou volleyball - first-team All-American Lindsey Hunter, Lisa Boyd, and Shen Danru - are gone, and three or more Tigers will have to fill those shoes in order for Mizzou to have a successful 2006 campaign, build on their No. 8 national-ranking, and earn a seventh-straight NCAA Tournament appearance.
Three Tigers - Jessica Vander Kooi, Nicole Wilson, and Abbie Booth - have their senior seasons ahead and are hoping to add to the up-and-coming legacy of Mizzou Volleyball. The Tigers also are returning Big 12 Libero of the Year, junior Tatum Ailes.
In 2005, the Tigers surged to the round-of-eight, regional final of the NCAA Tournament, after making only their first regional semifinal in school history. In the sweet-sixteen round, the Tigers knocked off perennial power Hawaii to advance to a showdown with Tennessee. Mizzou finished the season with a 25-5 record, a No. 8 ranking, and more memories to count.
What's Returning
|
Stat |
Returning |
'05 Total |
Percentage |
|
Assists |
173 |
1,722 |
10.0% |
|
Kills |
1,142 |
1,847 |
61.8% |
|
Aces |
113 |
186 |
60.8% |
|
Digs |
1,110 |
1,722 |
64.5% |
|
Blocks |
300 |
512 |
58.5% |
Setters
|
Lost: |
Lindsey Hunter, Papillion, Neb. (Papillion-LaVista HS) S, 5-10, AVCA All-America First-Team, Four-time All-Big 12, All-time Big 12 assists leader (in '05 ... 14.22 apg, 0.40 sapg, 2.40 dpg, 0.50 bpg, 0.95 kpg) |
|
Returning: |
none |
|
New: |
Lei Wang (RS Fr.), Shanghai, China, S, 5-11, RS Fr. Megan Wilson (RS Fr.), Lincoln, Neb. (Lincoln Christian), OPP/S, 6-2, RS Fr. |
To begin the 2006 campaign, the Missouri football team has a "replacing Brad Smith" dilemma. Similarly, the Missouri volleyball team has a "replacing Lindsey Hunter" dilemma.
Smith was a four-year starter at quarterback for the football Tigers and helped Mizzou develop a new style of football. Hunter was a four-year starter at setter for the volleyball Tigers and helped Mizzou develop into a national power. Both positions carry vast leadership responsibilities, both positions direct an offense, and both positions are "up-for-grabs" (so-to-speak) to begin the 2006 season.
Hunter ended her Tiger career as the Big 12's all-time leader in assists, becoming only the 15th person in NCAA history to tally over 6,000 and finished sixth all-time in NCAA history with 13.73 assists per game. Hunter became the first person in Big 12 history to lead a conference statistical category (assists per game) in all four years of eligibility. Hunter was the first Tiger to ever land on an All-America First Team and the first Tiger to win an All-America honor twice.
Both squads will also likely start an underclassman to start the new eras. Needless to say, it will be an interesting season for both squads.
Redshirt freshman Lei Wang is most poised for the setting position in a full-time role. This spring Wang got her first taste of the leadership role that is ahead of her.
"It's pretty normal to have a rough start to the spring when you have new people in key roles," said Head Coach Wayne Kreklow. "Sometimes the communication was a little off and you just have to adjust over time. These types of problems don't get solved overnight."
Sure, the Tigers went undefeated to begin the season and didn't lose a match in the spring until an exhibition with BeiHang University of China.
"Lei has all the tools and skills to be a great setter," Kreklow continued. "She has great quickness, and a tough serve. She has big shoes to fill, but she made outstanding progress in the spring in being more comfortable in her `quarterback'-type role."
Wang does have an impressive resume as she was on the Chinese junior national team, so faced top-flight competition before.
Megan Wilson, the younger sister of middle-blocker Nicole Wilson, will not be bound by the simplistic "S" by her name in the roster. But, more than anything Megan could become one exceptional all-around player, being able to hit from the opposite side, put up a good block, serve tough, and pass and dig the ball as well as having a setter-type role.
"Megan had a great spring," Kreklow said. "She made great strides in her hitting along with passing. She also became more emotional and vocal and I expect her to have a prominent impact as the season progresses."
In high school, Megan was an all-around athlete, starting on both her volleyball and basketball teams. In her senior year, she was named volleyball National Player of the Year by the National Christian Schools Athletic Association.
Outside Hitters
|
Lost: |
Shen Danru, Shanghai, China OH, 6-2, Three-time All-Big 12, Mizzou all-time leader in kills, kills per game, aces, digs, points, attacks (in '05 ... 2.90 kpg, 0.29 sapg, 3.03 dpg, 0.39 bpg) |
|
Returning: |
Jessica Vander Kooi (Sr.), Hinton, Iowa (Hinton HS) OH, 6-2, AVCA All-America Honorable Mention, Two-time First-team All-Big 12 (in '05 ... 3.42 kpg, .267 hit%, 2.77 dpg, 0.99 bpg, 4.23 ppg) Na Yang (Jr.), Shan Dong, China OH, 6-3 (in '05 ... 4.10 kpg (led team), .302 hit%, 0.54 bpg) |
|
New: |
Julianna Klein (Fr.), Keota, Iowa (Keota HS), OH, 6-0 |
The outside hitting core will also be losing a player that had a big impact on the Tiger squad in Shen Danru. Danru was the first Tiger in history to have come from the Eastern Hemisphere and while at Missouri she took a bite out of the record book, becoming Mizzou's all-time leader in kills, kills per game, aces, digs, points, and attacks. Her impact and all-around play will be missed, but the Tigers still have senior Jessica Vander Kooi and junior Na Yang who added a stinging 1-2 punch throughout the season. The addition of a top-40 prospect in Julianna Klein will likely be key in the Tigers' offensive strike as well.
Although Vander Kooi finished in the Big 12's top-10 statistically in only points and service aces, her prowess as an all-around player is what is most frightening to the Tiger opponents. Vander Kooi has found a knack of being at the right place, at the right time, leading to her nod to the All-Big 12's first team, a spot on the first team of the AVCA Central Region, and her selection as an honorable mention All-American in 2005. In the match at Nebraska last season, Vander Kooi recorded a 20-20, scoring 23 kills adding 22 digs, and was the driving force in Mizzou's game one and two wins against the Huskers. In another instance, Vander Kooi recorded nine blocks at Kansas State in a five-game battle. In that match up, Mizzou won the game and the match when K-State hit into three-consecutive Vander Kooi blocks. In another facet, Vander Kooi is an excellent server, as she was in the conference's top-10 in that category in 2005.
Vander Kooi also worked with Team USA's A2-training team over the spring, and gained mounds of familiarity against, and with, some of the best in the nation.
"Jess had a great spring and gained a lot from her experience with the A2 team," said Kreklow. "I expect Jess is going to be our `go-to' player this season. She will continue to be a real impact player for us."
Yang adds power to the Tiger line up as well, leading the team in 2005 in kills per game at 4.10. In 2005, Yang improved her overall game and became a more accurate hitter, eclipsing the .300 mark in the hitting category. In the NCAA Tournament, Yang had her most notable match of her career against Hawaii in the regional semifinal. In that match, she scored 24 kills on a Tiger NCAA-tournament record 66 attempts. Her work-horse attitude was used time-and-time again in 2005 and will once again be tough to stop. Yang had knee surgery during the off-season and has been working hard to be ready for '06.
"Na is one of the more physical players in the league," said Kreklow. "When she is healthy, she has the right combination of skill and strength to be a real asset for us again this season. She truly could be an All-Big 12 selection this season."
Adding a lot of punch to the Tiger lineup immediately could be the play of incoming freshman Julianna Klein. Out of Keota, Iowa, Klein has been a first-team all-stater the past two seasons and comes to Mizzou as a top-40 prospect according to PrepVolleyball.com. Klein, at 6-0, comes to Mizzou after averaging over 5.5 kills per game for Keota High School her senior year, hitting over .400.
"Julianna has the physical capability to contribute as a true freshman," said Kreklow. "She has great power. Her signature is her ability to be a physical force. She has got the arm to compete as a freshman in this league, and not many players have the ability to walk-in and contribute like she could."
Middle Blockers
|
Lost: |
Lisa Boyd, Farmington, Mo. (Farmington HS) MB, 6-2, Big 12 leader in hitting pct. in 2004 (in '05 ... 2.83 kpg, .359 hit%, 1.12 bpg) |
|
Returning: |
Nicole Wilson (Sr.), Lincoln, Neb. (Lincoln Christian HS) MB, 6-3, AVCA All-America Honorable Mention, NCAA Regional All-Tournament Team (in '05 ... 3.16 kpg, .415 hit% (Big 12 record), 1.26 bpg) Melissa Allbery (RS Jr.), Gretna, Neb. (Gretna HS) MB, 6-3 (in '05 ... 8 gp, 5 kills, 5 blocks) |
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New: |
Amanda Hantouli (RS Fr.), Omaha, Neb. (Burke HS), MB, 6-2 Brittney Herzog (Fr.), Boonville, Mo. (Boonville HS), MB, 6-0 |
Just like the two position-cores above, the Tiger middle blockers lost a key player in Lisa Boyd. In 2004, Boyd was the Big 12 leader in hitting percentage and was one of the instrumental parts of Mizzou's success in 2005. Some of her best play in '05 came in the NCAA Tournament as she notched eight blocks against Missouri State in the first round and matched the total against Hawaii in the regional semifinal.
Returning for her senior campaign is AVCA honorable mention All-American Nicole Wilson. The Tigers' all-time current leader in hitting percentage (.361), Wilson set a Big 12 record and was in the national top five in 2005 with a .448 hitting percentage during the conference season. Wilson is also the Tigers' all-time current leader in blocks per game, as she has marked a 1.07 average in her three years. In her junior year, Wilson tallied a 1.26 bpg average and was in the top-10 in the conference in the category. In 2005, Wilson had 13 matches in which she had a .500-hitting percentage or better, including twice in the NCAA Tournament. She was named AVCA National Player of the Week in September for a stretch in which she hit an errorless .719 over two conference matches, connecting on a 3.83 kpg average, adding 2.83 bpg.
"I believe Nicole's blocking ability at the net became better over the spring," said Kreklow. "I look for that again this fall. Offensively, the more her and Lei (Wang) get together over the next few months, the better off we will be. Communication between the two is vital and is key to our overall success."
Junior Melissa Allbery will look to play a more crucial role in the Tiger lineup in 2006. In 2005, Allbery had limited playing time, playing in eight games, still rehabbing from multiple injuries that included knee problems. However, Allbery has proven during the spring to be ready for the next step.
"Mel has consistently been one of the hardest-working players we've had," said Kreklow. "When she is in full training, and not injured, she has shown to have great net play and blocking is definitely one of her strengths. She's been working hard at her offensive skills this spring and she could very much become a main contributor for us. It's going to be great to see that hard work pay off."
Redshirting in 2005 was Amanda Hantouli of Omaha, Neb. Her hard work during last season in strength and conditioning has made Hantouli a stronger player than what she was when she stepped on campus last fall. As a high school junior, Hantouli led the state of Nebraska in blocking average. However, she hasn't seen the floor since that time due to an ACL injury her senior year in 2004.
"Amanda will really help us in lot of situations this year and will be fighting for a starting spot," said Kreklow. "She has great lateral mobility, a great arm, and has improved a lot this spring in her concentration and preparedness."
Boonville, Mo., native Brittney Herzog will likely redshirt in 2006, and will fortify her skills this upcoming season with her work in practice. Herzog graduated early from Boonville High School, and has been on the Mizzou campus since January. Herzog's mom, Dina, was a standout for this Tiger squad in the early 80s, and is one of Missouri's all-time blocking standouts.
"Although she'll probably redshirt, Brittney has a great natural ability," said Kreklow. "She's a great leaper and has a great arm. Most of all, Brittney has a great feel for the game. She has all the tools to be a great player for us in the future."
Defensive Specialists/Liberos
|
Lost: |
None |
|
Returning: |
Tatum Ailes (Jr.), Bellevue, Neb. (Bellevue West HS) L, 5-6, Big 12 Libero of the Year (in '05 ... 4.12 dpg ... 5.00 dpg in NCAA Tournament) Abbie Booth (Sr.), Kansas City, Mo. (Notre Dame de Sion HS) DS, 5-7 (in '05 ... 106/106 gp ... 1.98 dpg, 0.37 sapg ... 0.64 sapg in NCAA Tournament) Jilly Jaksich (RS So.), Papillion, Neb. (Papillion-LaVista HS) DS, 5-11 (in '05 ... 7 gp, 0.71 dpg) |
|
New: |
None |
When it comes to the Tigers' back-row staples, the tradition of great defense and passing is most likely to continue as unlike the rest of the position areas, the personnel remains the same for the defense. Another fad that probably will not change is the Tigers' ability to chase-down those pin-point corner shots or the ability to pass the ball so accurately that the setter needs not worry. Those are the intangibles that junior Tatum Ailes and senior Abbie Booth have brought to the Mizzou program.
Ailes will enter her junior season as the reigning Big 12 Libero of the Year, and she has the numbers to prove the honor as she led the league last season in digs per game with 4.12. Along with tough serving, Ailes brought to the table some hard-to-get-by stuff, flying through the air and getting to attacks using one arm while reaching behind her initial positions to put a once-out-of-play ball back into the Tiger court. She has been nicknamed "The Catalyst" for her electric and poignant displays on the court, ones that tend to make the Mizzou players follow suit as they play with more emotion and energy themselves.
"Tatum's honor of being Big 12 Libero of the Year speaks for itself," said Kreklow. "As Tatum has grown through the last two years, and even into the spring, she has developed a tougher serve as well as continuing to be a force in the back row. With all of the energy she brings to this team, she'll again be a key for us at libero this year."
Ailes also had a great run in the NCAA Tournament, averaging an outstanding 5.00 digs per game, grabbing a career high of 26 in the regional semifinal versus Hawaii.
Booth has developed into a key contributor to the Tiger cause as a defensive specialist. Playing in all 106 games for the Tigers last season, Booth averaged 1.93 digs per game while playing in only half of the Mizzou rotations. One of Booth's most important contributions came from the serving line, as she finished seventh in the conference in aces per game. Against Iowa State in the regular season and against Arkansas in the NCAA Tournament's second round, Booth notched six aces in both of those contests to immobilize both teams' offenses.
"Abbie had a real solid year for us at DS last season," said Kreklow. "Last year, she also contributed more in her serving and became a tougher threat for us from the serving line. She really has developed into a great server. Before, her defense was a concern, but she proved last season that she had a real hold of what it takes to be successful in that role."
Sophomore Jilly Jaksich played in seven games and five matches in 2005 and has the ability to be used in a variety of positions as either a defensive specialist or an outside hitter, at times.
"Jilly foremost had a great spring for us," said Kreklow. "She really is a multi-dimensional player as she has a great arm and is a great hitter. This spring, she worked hard to fine tune her passing. She's a high-energy player and plays great defense. She could work her way into the lineup and help us in a number of different ways."
The Schedule
The season will begin the weekend of August 25 and 26, as the Tigers will trek west to Long Beach, Calif., for the Long Beach State Invitational. There the Tigers will take on the host school along with Villanova and Alabama State. LBSU finished the 2005 season in the NCAA Tournament for 19th-consecutive season and received votes in the final coaches' poll.
After the home opener against UALR on Aug. 29, the Tigers will travel to Notre Dame for the Shamrock Invitational. Along with Idaho and Valparaiso, Mizzou will face the Fighting Irish, a squad that went to the Sweet-Sixteen round of the NCAA Tournament in 2005, finishing with a No. 12 ranking.
The weekend after may be the toughest early-season test for the young squad as Mizzou will face two top-five teams in Santa Clara and Penn State at the Texas Invitational in Austin. Both schools are perennial powerhouses and Santa Clara was a national semifinalist last season.
The non-conference season will be tough as five of the Tigers' opponents reached the NCAA Tournament in 2005. But, the Big 12 Conference season will really put Mizzou to the test. Nebraska and Texas are the early favorites for the conference crown, but NCAA Tournament teams in Colorado, Kansas, Kansas State, Texas A&M, and definitely Missouri will have something to say about the finality of it all. Either way, it should be exciting to see how it plays out.
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