Two-setter system leads to an MU win

The Tigers' versatility allowed for a win over the Oklahoma Sooners.

By Sam Wilson

Published Oct. 2, 2007

Sophomore Lei Wang told her team on Thursday she was willing to play any position necessary.

On Saturday against the Oklahoma Sooners, her versatility showed when she recorded a triple-double with 10 kills, 49 assists and 15 digs in a five-game win.

Wang said part of her success was her ability to maintain a positive attitude about the change.

"If you block me, so what," she said. "I'm going to get the next one."

That being said, Wang said it is difficult for her to receive the ball from another setter rather than setting it to someone else.

"It's very hard," she said. "But, you know what, that's just what it is, that's life."

Wang still spent a lot of time at setter, the position she's played for her entire career at MU. But senior setter Luiza Jarocka also got enough playing time to tally 20 assists and allow Wang to spend some time on the attack. Jarocka said her presence opens up the offense.

"It gives us more choices," she said.

In the past, coach Wayne Kreklow has said his team needed more offensive power to complement senior outside hitter Na Yang. Using Jarocka not only allowed for Wang's 10 kills, but it also improved the offensive production of sophomore middle blocker Amanda Hantouli. On Saturday night, Hantouli had a season-best 12 kills on a .308 hitting percentage.

She said Jarocka's style of setting complements her style of play.

"Luiza has really good hands," she said. "And I think what works for us is that because she sets from the same spot on her head every single time, it's really, really hard for blockers on the other side to know what to do. And therefore, it gives me a chance to get up and get a kill."

Sophomore Megan Wilson also had a good night to complement Yang, logging 18 kills on a .283 hitting percentage.

"We've just been reemphasizing in practice that everybody else needs to step up," she said. "And I think that's really what we did tonight."

Kreklow said that Wilson and Hantouli's performances diversified the offense.

"I was really pleased with the two of them," he said. "And we have to have those two. We've said it for the last couple weeks, but people have to step up."

Wilson said she could see that more opportunities were available for Yang because of the other options the offense had.

"With the middles getting up and being available, it opens up more swings for Na," she said.

Yang had a season best 26 kills on a .288 hitting percentage. She said her teammates' play didn't allow the Sooners to camp out against her.

"They held people," Yang said. "That helped a lot. Especially in the first two games, I felt like, 'Wow, only one-on-one.'"

Freshmen Weiwen Wang had seven kills. Kreklow said her play also took pressure off of Yang.

"Now you've got to think on the other side," he said. "Because now you just can't say, 'OK, I'm just going to release over on Na.'"