COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Volleyball enjoyed a memorable 2015 campaign, racking up 27 victories and an NCAA Tournament bid. The Tigers' 27 wins were the fifth-most in a single season in program history. Additionally, the success on the court marked the program's 12th all-time NCAA Tournament nod and seventh time advancing to the second round of the tournament under coaches Wayne Kreklow and Susan Kreklow.
The Tigers will bring back 11 players from a season ago, headlined by two-time All-American Carly Kan and 2015 All-Americans Kira Larson and Alyssa Munlyn. Mizzou is primed for another successful campaign in 2016 and the team officially begins offseason preparation in June.
Throughout the summer months, MUTigers.com will highlight individuals from the upcoming 2016 Tiger roster. In the second summer preview, we sat down with transfer Paige Perego.
Perego is one of three newcomers on the 2016 Tiger roster, joining freshmen Kayla Caffey and Andie Hanus. The Ballwin, Mo., native joins Mizzou after playing with Missouri State in 2015. Perego appeared in 19 matches with nine starts for the Bears in Springfield, Mo. The new Tiger outside hitter was effective in limited action, tallying 68 kills, four assists, 16 digs, 28 total blocks and 84.0 points in 55 sets played.
Following one season with Missouri State, Perego decided to part ways and begin a new journey in her volleyball career. The Tigers have been in her sights since high school and the opportunity to finally wear black and gold was too good to pass up.
"Well, Mizzou was my very first visit when I started the whole recruiting process," Perego recalled. "I fell in love with them right away and it felt right. However, there wasn't an opening for my position until I transferred from Missouri State. I wanted to play higher competition and the SEC is definitely that."
While the talent level in SEC Volleyball certainly attracted Perego, the overall experience that the University of Missouri provides was the true selling point as she looked for a new home.
"The system and facilities that Mizzou Athletics has is unmatched," Perego said. "It's a huge part because you get to hang out with other student-athletes and meet new people. The coaching staff at Mizzou is amazing and they're even better people. When Missouri State and I played Mizzou in the NCAA Tournament last season, I knew they had a close team with great chemistry. That was really important to me."
The 2016 Mizzou Volleyball team only loses one senior from a season ago, bringing back almost the entire group that accumulated 27 victories. With a close-knit group already intact heading into this upcoming season, Perego was eager to join a high-level program.
"I was nervous coming in last semester and not knowing any of them," Perego said. "Switching schools at semester was very hard but I don't think I could've made the transition a success without the current group of players. They were so welcoming and were always helping me out. It only took me a couple weeks to settle in and soon after that I felt like I had known them for a long time."
Perego and the two incoming freshmen are expected to provide even more talent and depth to a proven returning roster from the 2015 campaign. The Tigers finished 14-4 in SEC play last season and are expected to compete for a conference title yet again in 2016.
Individually, Perego hopes to contribute to the greater good and provide a new dynamic to a potential SEC championship-winning program.
"That's definitely the goal and I think we can do it," Perego exclaimed. "I hope to bring the fire, drive and energy into every match. I'll provide hard work, determination and take advantage of every opportunity that I get. I want to help my team get one step closer to winning the SEC title and get the job done."
"Tiger fans can expect me to be a competitor when I'm in the zone. People tell me I look fierce and mean on the court. I'm constantly communicating with my teammates on the court. I lead more by my performance on the court. Big plays and successful rallies get me fired up and I'll show a lot of emotion on the court."
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