April 5, 2010

BALTIMORE, Md. -- The future looks bright for the Mizzou volleyball program as another of its 2009 signees has once again shined on the national level. Lisa Henning (Blue Springs, Mo.), who signed her national letter of intent with the Tigers back in November, led her KC Extreme Club Team to a Junior Olympic Northeast Qualifier title after winning 10 matches during Easter weekend in Baltimore, Md. The title secured her club a spot in the Junior National Championships, which will be held in Reno, Nev., from June 23-July 3.

Henning, a 6-1 outside hitter, was KC Extreme's go-to player throughout the tournament as her play was paramount in guiding the team to a National Championship berth. The team won three matches on Thursday (April 1), three on Friday (April 2) and won a pair of matches on both Saturday and Sunday (April 3-4) to claim the tournament title. What was even more impressive is that the team had already secured a bid to the tournament, but battled back to beat a very talented Encinitas Wave - a club team based out of San Diego, Calif. - to earn the tournament title. The Wave, led by UCLA signee Kelly Reeves, claimed the first set in the match, but Henning and KC Extreme won each of the final two sets to win top honors at the tournament.

"I was really impressed with how Lisa played at a consistent high level throughout the weekend; I thought she was their go-to player all weekend long," assistant volleyball coach Deng Yang said after watching Henning in Baltimore. "In the last match, her team had already secured a spot at Junior Nationals, but they still played very hard despite being tired and she really pulled her team through and helped them win the tournament."

The USA Volleyball Northeast Qualifier showcased some on the nation's best future Division I talent throughout the weekend. Henning's KC Extreme Club alone will see four of its athletes suit up for Division I, BCS Conference schools next season. Three of the other team members have also committed to play collegiate volleyball in 2010, giving them seven total.

The tournament title is just another honor for Henning, who was named an AVCA/Under Armour High School All-American back in December. Henning was the only player in the state of Missouri to land on the High School All-American team. She is also a top-50 national recruit according Prepvolleyball.com.

"Lisa is someone that we expect to come into our program and contribute right away," head coach Wayne Kreklow added. "Throughout her high school and club careers, she has played at the middle hitter position. She may play on the outside here because she is a great all around athlete. She has a great arm and by playing all around over the last year, she has really improved by leaps and bounds."

Henning will join fellow 2009 signees Molly Kreklow (Delano, Minn.) on the competition floor in 2010. Kreklow has already enrolled in the classes at Mizzou and was also named to the High School All-America team and was rated as the No. 20 recruit nationally this season.

For all the latest on Mizzou volleyball, stay tuned to MUTigers.com.

###