Sept. 13, 2010
Date: Sept. 15
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location:Lubbock, Texas
Arena: United Spirit Arena
Live Stats(all matches):Gametracker
Game Notes: Complete Release in PDF Format 
What You Need to Know
• Mizzou opens Big 12 play this Wednesday at Texas Tech. Entering league play, Mizzou has the fourth-best overall record, trailing only Texas, Iowa State and Kansas at 8-2 in 2010. Mizzou has won its last 15 matches and 18 of its last 19 against Texas Tech, dating back to 2000.
• Mizzou ranks third in the Big 12 in nearly every offensive category. The Tigers rank third in hitting at .279, assists (13.55 per set) and kills (14.45 per set). Mizzou joins Texas and Iowa State as the only three teams in the Big 12 to rank in the top three in all of those statistical categories. Both Texas and Iowa State rank in the national top 10.
• Freshman setter Molly Kreklow (Delano, Minn.) continues to lead the way for the Tigers as she is ranked second in the Big 12 in assists per set (11.67).
• The Tiger middle hitting duo of Catie Wilson (Omaha, Neb.) and Brittney Brimmage (East St. Louis, Ill.) has arguably been the best 1-2 punch in the Big 12 this season. In fact, the two rank third and fourth, respectively, in the Big 12 in hitting. Wilson is just slightly ahead of Brimmage as both are hitting .394 as Wilson is just a few percentage points ahead of Brimmage.
• A win on Wednesday would be the 100th for head coach Wayne Kreklow while at Mizzou.
Tigers Open Big 12 Play
The Mizzou volleyball team travels to Lubbock, Texas, to take on the Texas Tech Red Raiders in its Big 12 opener. The Tigers come into the match at 8-2 overall while the Red Raiders come into the contest at 2-7 overall. Last year, Mizzou topped Texas Tech in straight sets twice, once in Lubbock and once in Columbia. The game is one of four Big 12 contests slated for Wednesday night. The match will begin at 6:30 p.m. at United Spirit Arena. Live stats will be available at MUTigers.com along with a live streaming radio webcast.
Last Time Out
The Tigers split their four matches at the Western Kentucky Invitational last weekend as they topped teams from Tennessee Tech and Central Arkansas while losing to Western Kentucky and Virginia Tech. The split moved Mizzou's record to 8-2, which is the fourth-best mark in the Big 12 heading into league play this weekend. Senior outside hitter Julianna Klein (Keota, Iowa) was named to the All-Tournament team after posting 39 kills and 31 digs while pitching in four service aces and seven blocks (three solo) on the weekend. Junior middle hitter Brittney Brimmage (East St. Louis, Ill.) also had a fine weekend with 36 kills on a team-best .375 hitting with 18 total blocks.
Offense Still Ranks Among Big 12's Best
Despite hitting just .227 while averaging 12.21 kills per set, the Tigers' offense still ranks among the Big 12's best. In fact, Mizzou ranks third overall in hitting at .279 while their 14.45 kills per set and 13.55 assists per set also ranks third overall. Mizzou slipped slightly over the weekend as it fell from second in hitting to third (.315 to .279) and from first to third in both kills per set and assists per set. Missouri joins Iowa State and Nebraska as the only three teams to rank in the top three in each of those statistical categories.
Several individuals also rank among the Big 12's best as well, highlighted by Tiger middle hitters Catie Wilson (Omaha, Neb.) and Brittney Brimmage (East St. Louis, Mo.), who rank third and fourth, respectively, in hitting percentage. Wilson is slightly ahead of Brimmage as both come into Wednesday's match hitting .394. Freshman setter Molly Kreklow (Delano, Minn.) boasts the highest individual rank for a Tiger as she sits at second overall in assists per set with 11.67, just behind Alison Landwehr of Iowa State. Senior outside hitter Paola Ampudia (Cali, Colombia) ranks third in kills per set at 3.85.
Kreklow Sits One Win Shy of Milestone
Mizzou head coach Wayne Kreklow sits at 99-64 in his career at Mizzou and with a win at Texas Tech on Wednesday, he could earn his 100th career win as the head coach of the Tigers. He and Susan Kreklow are a combined 208-110 at Mizzou. Ironically, Texas Tech was the location of the Kreklow's combined 200th career win last season.
Bench Makes an Impact
The Tiger bench saw plenty of playing time at last weekend's Western Kentucky Invitational. After playing primarily and eight-player rotation in the first two weekends, both Weiwen Wang (Nanjing, China) and Ashton Bodenstab (Blue Springs, Mo.) saw plenty of playing time last weekend. Wang played in seven sets and posted seven kills while rotating between the middle hitter and right side positions. She also pitched in four total blocks (two solo) as well. Bodenstab, who joined the team as a walk-on over the summer, came in and played three sets against Virginia Tech and helped sure up the Tigers' serve receive. Marissa Ferri (Naperville, Ill.) and Lindsey Petrick (Overland Park, Kan.) also played at WKU.
Kreklow Continues to Impress
Already a two-time Big 12 Newcomer of the Week, freshman Molly Kreklow (Delano, Minn.) has been a big reason for the Tigers' fast start in 2010. In fact, she ranks second in the Big 12 in assists per set this season at 11.67 and led the Big 12 after the first two weeks of the season. She has anchored an offense that features for hitters with at least 80 kills while at fifth - Catie Wilson - has 55 on the year. She has assisted on 385 of the Tigers' 447 kills (86.1-percent) and has the Tigers hitting .279 on the season. She also ranks third on the team in digs with 72 total and leads the team with a pair of double-doubles in 2010 as well. Kreklow has done this with one hand in a splint after dislocating her pinkie in preseason camp. She served overhand for the first time this season last weekend and tallied six aces, five of which came against Tennessee Tech.
Tigers Serve Tough in Western Kentucky
Through the first two weekends of play, Mizzou had totaled 20 total service aces (1.05 per set), but over the weekend, Mizzou nearly doubled its season output with 19 total aces (1.36 per set). Molly Kreklow led the way for Mizzou with six while Catie Wilson pitched in five more. Senior Julianna Klein added four more while Priscilla Armendariz and Paola Ampudia each added a pair.
Tiger Middle Hitters - Best 1-2 Punch in the Big 12?
The Tiger middle hitting duo of Brittney Brimmage (East St. Louis, Ill.) and Catie Wilson (Omaha, Neb.) is arguably the best 1-2 punch in the Big 12 this season at the position. Both players are hitting .394 on the season and rank in the league's top four in that category. Brimmage ranks second on the team in kills with 93 and leads the team with 31 blocks. Wilson has 55 kills and 21 total blocks on the season and she has a team-low 12 attack errors. Brimmage and Wilson's combined stat line is 148 kills on .394 hitting with 52 total blocks. They have combined to score 185.5 total points for Mizzou this season.
More on Brimmage
One could argue that Brimmage has been the Tigers' most consistent offensive weapon this season as she is second on the team with 93 kills and ranks second in hitting at .394. Despite hitting just .158 in the season-opener against Maryland, Brimmage has hit at least .273 in each of the nine matches since that time and has eclipsed .400 in six of those matches and has been better than .500 in two of those. Also, her 93 total kills through 10 matches are just 16 back from her kill total all of last season. She has posted double-digit kill totals in six matches and reset her career highs in kills (14) and attacks (27) this season.
A Clean Sweep
After its fine performance in Malibu at the Pepperdine Ascis Challenge, the Mizzou volleyball team swept the Big 12 Weekly awards last week, marking only the second time in league history that one school has swept all three awards in the same week. Paola Ampudia was named Big 12 Player of the Week for the second time in her career after leading the team with 50 kills on .261 hitting. She paced Mizzou in kills in all three matches and posted a season-best 19 in the Tigers' four-set win over Pepperdine.
Molly Kreklow was named Big 12 Rookie of the Week after anchoring the league's top offense. She averaged 13.60 assists per set and notched a new career-best with her 52 against Pepperdine. She also passed out 47 against Rice, a Mizzou record for assists in a three-set match during the 25-point era. Caitlyn Vann claimed her fourth Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week honor after pacing the league in digs at 6.20 per set. She had 18 or more digs in each of the three matches, including a season-best 25 against Pepperdine.
Jules, Wendy Crack All-Time Top 10 at Mizzou
At the Western Kentucky Invitational, both Julianna Klein (Keota, Iowa) and Weiwen Wang (Nanjing, China) cracked the top 10 all-time in a statistical category. Klein totaled 39 kills on the weekend and she needed just two to crack the all-time top 10. She now sits at ninth with 1,086, just 34 shy of Naaron Branson for eighth all-time at Mizzou. Klein needs just 5.5 total points on Wednesday to crack the all-time top 10 in total points as well. Wang cracked the all-time top 10 in block assists with her two over the weekend. She now has 218 over her four-year career at Mizzou and sits just four back of former Tiger All-American setter Lindsey Hunter.
Another Milestone?
Senior libero Caitlyn Vann (Muncie, Ind.) is also approaching another milestone this week. Should Vann start the Texas Tech match at the libero position, it will be her 100th consecutive start at libero, dating back to the 2008 season. She also started 27 of 30 matches in her freshman season but played behind former Big 12 Libero of the Year Tatum Ailes that season.
A New Role for Jules?
Once the Tigers' go-to hitter as she is the active leader in attacks, senior Julianna Klein has seen somewhat of a changed role this season as her back-row play this season has been paramount in the Tigers' success. She has pulled in 87 digs (second on the team) and has committed just eight reception errors on 150 service chances, making her a steady option in the back row. She has also been an offensive weapon this season out of the back row, totaling 85 kills on .264 hitting. She had a season-best 14 against Utah Valley this season.
Scouting Texas Tech
The Red Raiders come into Wednesday's match at 2-7 overall and have lost their last three matches. Tech's two wins came against Texas-San Antonio and Texas State and the Red Raiders needed more than three sets in each to earn the win. In fact, Texas Tech is 0-6 in three-set matches this season as it has yet to sweep an opponent in 2010.
Mizzou leads the all-time series with Texas Tech, 18-11, and has won the last 15 matches and 18 of the last 19, dating back to 200 when the Kreklows took over the program. Mizzou swept Texas Tech in both meetings last season and the Kreklow's earned their 200th career win at Mizzou at Texas Tech last season.
The Tigers and Red Raiders own one common opponent in 2010 and that is the Owls of Rice. Tech was swept at Rice while Mizzou topped the Owls out in Malibu en-route to its Pepperdine Asics Challenge title. Mizzou also played a pair of Texas Tech opponents - Ole Miss and Texas State - last season and swept them both. Tech lost to Ole Miss in straight sets but topped Texas State in five this season.
Tech is led by junior Amanda Dowdy, who is averaging 3.48 kills per set this season and has 108 total. She is the only Red Raider with more than 60 kills this season.
Vann Takes Her Spot in Record Book
Senior libero Caitlyn Vann finished the Tiger Invitational with 45 digs (5.00 per set), earning her All-Tournament honors. She then came back to tally 62 total digs (6.20 per set) at Pepperdine, earning her Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week honors and posted 53 last weekend. Her 160 digs this season have moved her career total to 1,520, trailing only former Tiger Tatum Ailes for first all-time. Ailes played all four of her years in the 30-point scoring era while Vann has played in 25-point sets since 2008. Had she played in 30-point sets, we could be looking at Mizzou's all-time career digs leader.
Another Fab Frosh
Kreklow isn't the only Tiger freshman who is putting together a fine first season in Black and Gold. Classmate Lisa Henning is turning heads with her powerful arm as she has 85 kills on the season - second-best on the team - on .272 hitting. After the first weekend of play, she became the first true freshman to lead the Tigers in kills during each of her first two matches during the rally scoring era. She is also the only athlete to do so under the direction of Wayne and Susan Kreklow at Mizzou.
Wilson Hits Her Way Into Record Books
Heading into the season, senior middle hitter Catie Wilson (Omaha, Neb.) ranked sixth on the all-time hitting percentage list at Mizzou. But after the first three weekends, Wilson has climbed to fifth after hitting .394 thus far, moving her career clip from .279 to .290. She has a ways to go to crack the top four (Diane Berg, .308), but with a few more weekends like the last, Wilson could crack the top four by season's end.
Support From Tiger Nation
After the first two weeks of play, Mizzou currently ranks 17th overall in average attendance after averaging 1,633 fans per match at the Tiger Invitational. A season-high 1,872 fans watch the Tigers top Utah Valley. Not only that, but the Tigers' student group, the VolleyZOU, came in numbers as well with more than 300 VolleyZOU members showing up for each match, showing unrivaled support from Tiger nation. In fact, few schools have ranked as highly as Mizzou in average attendance since 2000. In each season since the Kreklows took over, Mizzou has ranked in at least the top 20 in average attendance.
Kreklow Earns Big 12 Freshman of the Year
Freshman setter Molly Kreklow (Delano, Minn.) brought with her plenty of accolades when she arrived on campus in January, but she added another in the preseason as the Big 12 coaches named Kreklow the Big 12 Preseason Freshman of the Year. Expected to take over the starting setting role this season, Kreklow is a two-time AAU All-American, an AVCA/Under Armour All-American and a three-time AAU National Champion with Mizuno Northern Lights. What is impressive about her nod is that a pair of Texas signees - Ashley Bannister (No. 12) and Hannah Allison (No. 9) - ranked ahead of Kreklow (No. 20) on the PrepVolleyball.com Senior Aces list.
2010 Freshman Class Earns Praise
Despite having five seniors and two juniors on the 2010 roster, the Mizzou volleyball program will have plenty of fresh faces on the floor in 2010. Aside from Kreklow, who comes to Mizzou as the No. 20 overall prospect in the nation, the Tigers add Lisa Henning (Blue Springs, Mo.), Paige Buchanan (Manchester, Mo.) and Ahston Bodenstab (Blue Springs, Mo.). Henning is the No. 50 overall national recruit and will likely make an immediate impact at the outside hitter position. Buchanan and Bodenstab will also bolster the back row as both are defensive specialists. The four freshmen comprised the No. 14 overall recruiting class according the PrepVolleyball.com. The only Big 12 team to rank ahead of Mizzou in the PrepVolleyball.com rankings was Texas.
Klein Plays in Brazil
Senior outside hitter Julianna Klein (Keota, Iowa) spent 10 days of her summer playing with the Bring-It Promotions/USA Developmental Volleyball tour in Brazil. She, along with 11 of the top collegiate players in the nation, played against some of Brazil's top national teams while taking in the sights that the country has to offer. The program helps line up professional careers for volleyball players after college by providing international experience. It also serves as a pipeline for USA Volleyball and all of those who may be interested in playing for Team USA after college.
Kreklow Sets for Junior National Team
Klein wasn't the only Tiger to spend a portion of her summer south of the American border. Kreklow spent a week in Tijuana, Mexico, as a member of the USA Volleyball Junior National Team at the North American, Central American and Caribbean (NORCECA) Continental Championships. Kreklow was the team's starting setter and helped Team USA to a perfect 5-0 record while starting four of the five matches. She also dished out a team-high 61 assists in the tournament. The spot on the Junior National Team was her second stint with USA Volleyball as she also set for the Youth National Team last summer. Kreklow was the only player on the roster to boast collegiate experience after enrolling in classes back in January.
Henning Guides Club to Junior Nationals
Freshman Lisa Henning (Blue Springs, Mo.) 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. 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. 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.
Vann Tries Out for US National Team
Caitlyn Vann (Muncie, Ind.) recently tried out for the USA Volleyball National Team in Colorado Springs, Colo., and participated with some of the nation's elite talent. On hand were national team coaches Hugh McCutcheon and Karch Kiraly along with the entire USA Volleyball staff, making it a great experience for the tiger libero.
"I thought it would be a good opportunity and I wanted to see where I stood nationally for my position. And it's good for networking I'm looking to go pro after college and it's already really difficult for my position, so knowing the national team coach and talking to all the different coaches is good networking."
Bodenstab Makes the Transition
Last season, freshman Ashton Bodenstab (Blue Springs, Mo.) competed with the Mizzou track and field program before making the transition to volleyball this season. Bodenstab was training in the combined events under Mizzou assistant coach Dan Lefever. But she specialized in volleyball during high school and when the opportunity presented itself to walk onto Mizzou's team, she did just that. She was an All-State, All-District and All-Area selection in 2008 before coming to Mizzou in 2009.
Tigers Build New Team Room
The Tigers got a surprise when they came to the team's first official practice as the coaching staff spent the summer designing a new team room. The room, which sits across the hall from the current volleyball locker room in the old Hearnes Center interview room, features a sitting area with leather couches, work space for student-athletes to study and a brand new home entertainment center.
Volleyball - Tiger Cup Winners
After spending countless hours in the community last season, the Mizzou volleyball team was awarded the Tiger Cup Trophy. The Tiger Cup recognizes the Mizzou team that earned the most overall points in the team competition. Points were awarded for achievement in academics, athletics and for community involvement. Awarded a prize of $3,000, the volleyball players stayed true to their commitment to the community and immediately donated their entire prize to the Mid-Missouri Susan G. Komen Foundation, which raises funds for Breast Cancer Awareness.
Undisputed Success
In the 10 seasons that Wayne and Susan Kreklow have been at the helm of the Mizzou program, the Tigers have seen an unprecedented level of success. In fact, Mizzou has qualified for the NCAA Tournament in eight of the past 10 seasons, making them one of only 16 teams nationally to accomplish that feat. The Kreklows won their 200th game at Mizzou last season after defeating Texas Tech, 3-0, in Lubbock. That is good for an average of 20 wins per season, a bench mark that usually results in a berth to the NCAA Tournament.
Milestones for the Kreklows
Over the past two seasons, the Kreklows have earned plenty of milestone wins. In their last win of 2008 at Colorado, the Kreklows won the program's 600th win of all time. Last season, Team Kreklow (Wayne and Susan together) won their 200th win at Mizzou after topping Texas Tech. Team Kreklow also claimed its 700th win all-time last season while Wayne Kreklow won his 400th game as head coach as well.
Follow Mizzou on Twitter
Mizzou volleyball has started its own Twitter page. Be sure to follow the Tigers all season long at http://twitter.com/MU_Volleyball. The site will be updated all year long with updates on the team and special insight into what it is like to be a member of the Mizzou volleyball team. Check back all season for updates.
Tiger Volleyball on the Radio
The Mizzou volleyball team will have each of its home and its Big 12 road matches live on the radio at MUTigers.com all season long. At home, the live broadcasts will be streamed with live video on Mizzou All-Access. Also, video updates and highlights from the Tigers' road trips will be posted on MUTigers.com all season long. Ross Taylor of Mizzou All-Access will serve as the voice of the Tigers while former Tiger All-American setter Lindsey Hunter will provide color.
The Mizzou VolleyBlog
The Mizzou VolleyBlog will be back in 2010 and will offer live updates from each Tiger match. Fans can access the blog at MUTigers.com and it will be an interactive experience for fans as the moderator will take questions and comments from fans at each of the home and away matches. It will also offer exclusive video and student-athlete and coach interviews throughout the season, including video features on each of the student-athletes.
Up Next
Mizzou will return to the Hearnes Center for its first home match since August as it will play host to No. 11 Iowa State at 3 p.m. Admission to the event is free and fans attending the Tigers' football game against San Diego State are encouraged to come watch the match prior to the football game.