June 2, 2010

COLUMBIA, Mo. - Despite having just two athletes signed to national letters of intent, Prpevolleyball.com has ranked the Mizzou 2010 recruiting class No. 14 nationally this season. Of the teams in the Big 12 Conference, Mizzou's 2010 class - comprised of setter Molly Kreklow (Delano, Minn.) and outside hitter Lisa Henning (Blue Springs, Mo.) - ranks second in the league behind only Texas, who comes in at No. 6 nationally.

"Small in number but big in talent, Mizzou's two-player class brings athleticism and experience to Columbia and will add to an already deep Missouri squad that will look to challenge on the national scene," John Tawa of Prepvolleyball.com said in the annual release.

Of the 30 classes rated by Prepvolleyball.com, only two schools made the list with two or fewer players. Aside from Missouri, the only such team to make the cut was Nebraska (No. 30), who signed just one player to a national letter of intent. In fact, every team ranked ahead of Mizzou on the 30-team list had at least three signees while most had anywhere from four to six.

"Having our 2010 recruiting class be nationally recognized is great for our program and speaks to the quality of players here at MIzzou. It also speaks to the quality of our coaching staff, the quality of our academics, facilities - everything," head coach Wayne Kreklow said. "Both Molly and Lisa recognized the great tradition we have in volleyball at Mizzou and also see the future and where we are going as a program and wanted to be part of something very special. Molly and Lisa are great people as well as great players and they are going to have an immediate impact on our program. I believe that Molly is arguably the best setter in the 2010 class and Lisa has all the tools to establish herself as one of the top outside hitters in the country. We have a great tradition of success at the highest levels here at Mizzou and we look to both Molly and Lisa to help the Tigers continue that great tradition. With some very talented players already committed in the 2011 class, the future is going to be very bright for our program here at Mizzou."

Kreklow, one of the nation's top young setters according to Prepvolleyball.com, was praised throughout the analysis of Mizzou's class and even drew comparisons to former Tiger All-American Lindsey Hunter, who was just voted as Mizzou's Athlete of the Decade. After enrolling in classes last winter, Kreklow will be looked upon to be the Tigers' starting setter in the fall of 2010.

"Kreklow, an Under Armour All American, comes to Missouri as one of the top young setters in the U.S.," Tawa added in his analysis. "The former Youth National Team member and current Junior National Team member has an outstanding feel for the game and natural leadership skills well beyond her years. Kreklow enrolled early at Mizzou and already has made an impact on the Tiger program. She has coaches and players alike drawing comparisons to former Mizzou All-American and US National Team setter, Lindsey Hunter. Great hands and a physical presence at the net will make Kreklow a player to be reckoned with in the Big 12."

Henning, who is the only player in the state of Missouri to earn Under Armour All-America honors this season, also drew high praise from Prepvolleyball.com. Henning will play outside hitter during her time at Mizzou, but she is a versatile option that can play in the middle or in back row for the Tigers. She was arguably the top recruit in the state this season.

Lisa Henning will bring a live arm to Mizzou in fall.

"Henning makes up the other half of this dynamic duo." Prepvolleyball.com added about the Blue Springs, Mo., native. "After a lifetime in the middle, Henning has moved outside this spring, where her physicality and live arm make her a crowd favorite and her intensity and passion for the game will be sure to have her challenging an already-talented group of outside hitters at Mizzou for playing time. As Henning continues to improve ball handling and back row play, while adding strength and stamina, she is sure to be an integral part of what looks to be a high-powered Tiger offense."

The 30 classes selected to Prepvolleyball.com's list were chosen by Tawa after close consultation with volleyball coaches from across the nation. Size was a factor in the decision process as was strength, making Mizzou's class that much more impressive since it only had two members. The classes are also rated on the long-term potential of each class over the next four or five seasons.

Mizzou and its heralded freshman class, along with a slew of talented seniors, will open the fall at home with the Tiger Invitational on August 27. For all the latest on Mizzou volleyball, stay tuned to MUTigers.com.