Sports shorts

By Zach Mink

Published Aug. 27, 2010

Sports Shorts

Soccer The Tigers dropped the season opener to the Maryland Terrapins 3-2, despite freshman Dominique Richardson’s first career goal.

Missouri looks to get back on track at the Carolina Nike Classic in Chapel Hill, N.C. this weekend. The Tigers will square off against the No. 25 Duke Blue Devils, as well as back-to-back defending national champion North Carolina Tar Heels, ranked No. 1 in the country. The Blue Devils opened up the season with a victory over the Georgia Bulldogs 1-0.

With seven seniors graduating last year, the Tigers filled the roster out with six freshmen and one senior transfer. Forward Danielle Nottingham, midfielder Dominique Richardson and forward Alyssa Diggs all should play major roles despite their freshman statuses. Senior transfer Paula Pritzen will try to compete for a spot in goal as she comes in behind Tiger sophomore Jessica Gwin. Pritzen excelled as Clemson’s goalie, ranking first in the ACC in saves per game the past two seasons.

Coach Bryan Blitz is one win shy of 200 for his career, with 150 of them coming with the Tigers. The milestone could be reached with a win against the Blue Devils on Friday.

Volleyball The Tiger volleyball squad will open up the season Friday against Nevada in the Tiger Invitational. The Tigers last meeting with the Wolf Pack resulted in a loss in 2008.

Missouri will play two more matches Sunday, featuring games against Maryland and Utah Valley. The Tigers bested the Terrapins in 2008, as well as the Wolverines in 2009.

The Tigers are extremely experienced this season, returning five seniors to the lineup. Outside hitters Paola Ampudia and Julianna Klein, middle hitters Catie Wilson and Weiwen Wang and libero Caitlyn Vann all return from a team that accrued 18 wins, the most since 2005.

Along with the returning seniors, the Tigers also added an impressive group of freshman to the team in the offseason. Setter Molly Kreklow, defensive specialist Ashton Bodenstab and outside hitter Lisa Henning are all expected to play considerable roles for the Tigers this season. Despite injuring her right pinkie in practice, Kreklow is expected to play in this weekend’s matches. Kreklow participated in warm-ups but did not play in the Black vs. Gold Scrimmage last Friday.

Swimming and Diving Coach Greg Rhodenbaugh, entering his first year with the Tigers, has hired two new assistant coaches to his staff. Both Randi Vogel and Andy Grevers were welcomed to the staff Wednesday.

Vogel worked as an assistant coach at Cincinnati the past season and also swam collegiately for Cincinnati as well as Tennessee.

Grevers worked three years as a volunteer assistant at Northwestern, working with four national champions in his time at the school.

Missouri swimming and diving opens its season with a Black and Gold Intersquad on Oct. 1.