Vander Kooi Gains From Experience On USA's A2-Training Team
6/27/2006 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
June 27, 2006
COLUMBIA, Mo. - Soon-to-be senior Jessica Vander Kooi already has a lot to say about the summer of 2006. The Mizzou volleyballer was invited to play on USA Volleyball's A2-training team over Memorial Day weekend and it was a good experience, not only for Vander Kooi, but for Team USA who got to see what the Tiger can do. Vander Kooi, one of the greater all-around players in the country, followed recently-graduated two-time All-American setter Lindsey Hunter who was on the team the two years previous.
Vander Kooi (Hinton, Iowa) and Team USA's A2 team played in an open tournament in New Orleans, La., on the campus of Tulane University and placed second in the four-day tournament over Memorial Day weekend.
"Being on this team was a lot of fun and a great experience," said Vander Kooi. "Playing with people from different universities and colleges, and working with different coaches, gave me a look at different styles of play, and that was good in the experience."
Before the tournament started, Vander Kooi and her newly-met teammates had two-a-day practices for five days.
"More than anything, working with this team helped my mental game," continued Vander Kooi. "It helped me push myself and it was great having other people there pushing me and each other."
Overall, Vander Kooi was one of the best on the team in terms of hitting the ball and not running into blocks or sending the ball out (error proficiency [3%]). In addition, Vander Kooi ranked high in passing efficiency, a marker that rates players on digs and serve receives and their placement to team's setter.
"I thought I played well," said Vander Kooi. "It may have had the best passing performance of my life, and that really will help my game."
Vander Kooi received honorable mention All-America honors by the AVCA last season, most notably for her relentless all-around play. The 6-2 outside hitter recorded four double-doubles against top 25 teams last season including a 20-20 effort at national runner-up Nebraska (23 kills, 22 digs). In the NCAA regional semifinal versus Hawaii, Vander Kooi racked up nine kills, adding 20 digs and six blocks in the Tigers monumental four-game win that sent Mizzou to their first-ever regional final. The Tigers will begin their 2006 campaign by playing in the Long Beach State Invitational, August 25-26. Mizzou's home schedule kicks off with an August 29, Tuesday-night tilt versus UALR. So far, Mizzou will have eight matches against teams ranked in the final 2005, top-25 AVCA Coaches Poll.
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