Tigers Enter the Heart of Spring Training
3/9/2010 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
March 9, 2010
COLUMBIA, Mo. -- As we March forward towards spring time, the Mizzou volleyball program has entered the heart of its spring training period, which allows the team to practice together during the offseason. After spending the last six weeks in the non-competition segment of the practice schedule, the Tigers began the competition part of their spring slate on March 8. For the next seven weeks, the Tigers will practice and compete in competitive settings at practice and weekend tournaments, the first of which is slated March 24 in Columbia, Mo., at the Hearnes Center.
For the majority of the first six weeks of the spring schedule, the Tigers worked with strength and conditioning coach Andrew Paul to get back into shape after about a month off from competition. The team participated in drills that included playing each other in one-on-one tug of war and a variety of other strength activities. The team also spent a lot of time in the weight room during the first six weeks. They also competed in games of two-on-two and individual workouts. The hard work in the spring will undoubtedly pay off for the Tigers in the fall as they seem to be in great shape.
The next seven weeks will include more team practice as the Tigers look to get better heading into the summer and fall. The floor looks slightly different without departing seniors Lei Wang-Francisco (Shanghai, China) and Amanda Hantouli (Omaha, Neb.), but the team seems to be meshing, nonetheless. One key to the Tigers' spring will be getting freshman setter Molly Kreklow (Delano, Minn.) acquainted with the rest of the team and the style of play as she makes the transition to the Division I level. Kreklow has the task of replacing Wang-Francisco - who was a four-year starter at setter for Mizzou - all while quarterbacking what should be one of the Big 12's most explosive offensive attacks in 2010.
In all, despite losing the two seniors, Mizzou returns 88.4-percent of its offensive point production from a year ago, including All-Big 12 First Team honoree, Paola Ampudia (Cali, Colombia), who had more kills over her last 16 matches than any player in the Big 12 last season, including Big 12 Player of the Year Destinee Hooker of Texas. Also returning will be libero Caitlyn Vann (Muncie, Ind.), who will be entering her third season as the Tigers' starting libero, along with outside hitter Julianna Klein (Keota, Iowa), who is the Tigers' active kill leader, and middle hitter Catie Wilson (Omaha, Neb.), who currently ranks as one of the program's 10-most efficient hitters.
Mizzou will host a spring tournament on March 24 inside the Hearnes Center. Teams from around the area will be on hand at the event as fans are encouraged to come watch their Tigers. For all the latest on Mizzou volleyball, stay tuned to MUTigers.com.
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