Feb. 23, 2007

COLUMBIA, Mo.--The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) announced late Thursday that incoming Tigers Caitlyn Vann (Muncie, Ind. / Burris HS) and Catie Wilson (Bellevue, Neb. / Gross HS) were named to the organization's inaugural High School Senior All-American Team. The duo was two of only 35 around the nation to earn the honor.

 

The pair had previously been named to prepvolleyball.com's High School All-American list, a group that included 150.

 

"We are very proud of both Caitlyn and Catie," said Head Coach Wayne Kreklow. "We expect both to have an immediate impact on our program.  Although both are accomplished players right now, we believe that Caitlyn and Catie have plenty of room for future development and both have very bright futures.

 

"The fact that two outstanding student-athletes such as Caitlyn and Catie chose the University of Missouri speaks volumes about the quality of our institution and our volleyball program," Kreklow said.

 

 

Caitlyn Vann (L, Muncie, Ind., Burris HS)

Caitlyn Vann will come to Mizzou from Muncie, Ind., and Burris High School. Vann was a three-time All-State selection at Burris, earning first-team honors in her junior and senior seasons. While Vann was recruited as a libero, she played as a left-side hitter in her years in high school, tallying 442 kills and 368 digs as team captain in her recently completed senior season.

 

Vann was also a part of USA Volleyball's Junior National Training Team in 2006 and was before a two-year member of USAV's Youth National-A2 team. In addition, prepvolleyball.com has proclaimed Vann with many honors including in 2006 when she was tabbed as a "National First-Team Dandy Lion" for her all-around play that will likely be transformed into outstanding back-row play in the future. Also this season, she was selected by the online site as a Senior Ace. In 2005, she was named as Top-50 Junior Recruit.

 

"Caitlyn is one of the top libero prospects in the country," Head Coach Wayne Kreklow said. "She is an outstanding athlete, a great student, and a great person. Her combination of athletic talent and infectious personality will make her a fan-favorite here at Missouri. She will continue a tradition of great defensive players to play at Mizzou."

 

Vann's school, Burris High School, has won 10-straight Class 2A IHSAA Championships, and in 2004, Vann's sophomore season, Burris went 40-0 and was named High School National Champions by prepvolleyball.com.

 

"She's most definitely a winner," proclaimed Kreklow. Vann also is her high school basketball team's captain and leading scorer and holds career school records in steals and points in a game (38).

 

Catie Wilson (MB/OH, Omaha, Neb., Omaha Gross HS)

Catie Wilson (no relation to Mizzou's Megan Wilson) will come to Mizzou from Omaha, Neb., and Gross High School. Wilson was a four-time All-State selection, earning first-team honors in her junior and senior seasons.

 

Wilson was also named to prepvolleyball.com's Senior Aces this season and to the website's top-70 junior prospects a year ago. Wilson also plays for the Nebraska Elite volleyball club.

 

"Catie is another great player from the state of Nebraska," said Kreklow. "She is also one of those classic great players that are also great students, and are the types of people we are looking for here at Mizzou. Catie is a very good offensive player, hitter, and blocker. At 6-3, she most definitely has the size and athletic ability to compete in the Big 12."

 

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