COLUMBIA, Mo. -- In preparation for the upcoming 2009 season, the Mizzou volleyball program started its official practices on Monday (Aug. 10). 2009 marks the 10th season that both Wayne and Susan Kreklow will be at the helm of the Mizzou volleyball program. With a strong nucleus of returning players, the Tigers are in search of their ninth NCAA Tournament berth in the last 10 seasons.

The Tigers return seven players who saw action in all 30 matches during the 2008 season, including five that started in all 30. Highlighting the key returners are Julianna Klein (Keota, Iowa), Caitlyn Vann (Muncie, Ind.), Amanda Hantouli (Omaha, Neb.), Lei Wang (Shanhai, China) and Weiwen Wang (Nahjing, China).

Lei Wang, a three-year starter at setter for the Tigers, brings a wealth of experience and leadership to the Tiger frontcourt this season. Wang currently sits in fourth place on the Tigers' career assist list with 3,677 after she passed out 1,109 helpers in 2008. Wang also finished second on the team with 276 digs and 24 service aces and ranked third with 89 total blocks. She also led the team with a .984 service percentage, committing only seven service errors on 426 attempts in 2008.

Vann, Mizzou's starting libero, had one of the finest defensive seasons ever for the black & gold in 2008. Posting 560 total digs, Vann now ranks third all-time on the single-season dig list trailing only Tatum Ailes - Mizzou's all-time dig leader - who occupies the top two spots (2007, 583; 2006, 565).

Klein was the Tigers' kill leader from a season ago as she posted 393 on the season, including four 20-kill efforts. Klein hit double digits in kills in all but eight matches and she had at least nine in four of those matches that she did not tally 10 or more.

Weiwen Wang and Hantouli anchored the Tigers at the middle of the net in 2008, combining for 460 kills and 196 blocks. The pair also ranked first and second on the team in hitting efficiency as well; Hantouli led the team hitting .253 while Wang hit a clip of .242.

The Tigers will open the season with the annual Black & Gold scrimmage at the Hearnes Center on Aug. 21. The next Friday, Mizzou will open the regular season by playing host to Texas State, Ole Miss and BYU as part of the Tiger Invitational from Aug. 28-29. For all the latest on Mizzou Volleyball, stay tuned to www.MUTigers.com.