Missouri volleyball wins Tiger Invitational
The Tigers will play in the Pepperdine Asics Invitational next week.
Published Aug. 31, 2010
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Freshman Molly Kreklow attempts to spike the ball but is blocked by Nevada's Grace Anxo and Lindsay Baldwin during the Tiger Invitational on Saturday afternoon at the Hearnes Center. Missouri won all three matches to win the tournament.
The Missouri Tigers were victorious in the Tiger Invitational this weekend, winning each match without dropping a single set in the tournament. Freshman setter Molly Kreklow was named tournament MVP and ended up with 109 assists for the weekend.
Senior libero Caitlyn Vann helped lead the back row and, along with junior Brittney Brimmage, made the All-Tournament team for the tournament. Freshman outside hitter Lisa Henning finished the tournament with 31 total kills and Big 12 player of the year candidate and outside hitter Paola Ampudia led the team with 32. Both players were instrumental in the Tigers success killing the ball.
"Lisa Henning really did a nice job," coach Wayne Kreklow said. "It's a tough thing to come in at this level and be right out there hitting."
In the team's first official match of the season, Missouri swept past Maryland 3-0 (25-21, 27-25, 25-21), stifling the opposing outside hitters throughout the night. Vann moved into second place all-time on the career dig list, collecting 19 in the match.
Missouri clearly showed their offensive prowess in the second match against Nevada, ending with a total of 45 kills compared to the Wolf Pack's 35. Ampudia and Henning combined for 25 kills in the match. The Tigers once again earned the sweep, blanking the Wolf Pack 3-0 (25-15, 25-14, 25-18).
In their final match against Utah Valley, Kreklow once again was formidable, assisting her teammates 38 times. The team did not drop a set the entire tournament and were able to seal that in the late win over the Wolverines, taking the match 3-0 (25-18, 25-12, 25-21). Kreklow is still recovering from a dislocated pinkie sustained during practice in the offseason. However, the injury does not seem to be hampering her play.
"I started practicing about a week ago and it's gotten better and better," Kreklow said.
A key to the Tiger's success this weekend was team chemistry. With the continuity of having five starters back from an 18-win team last season, the Tigers showcased balanced play throughout the tournament. Kreklow was the facilitator on many occasions, setting each of her teammates and distributing the ball evenly.
Brimmage has been a factor in the team chemistry this season; stepping up her overall leadership and trying to help other players on the team get acclimated. More experience comes with more responsibility and Brimmage has done well to try and be stress free while playing.
"I help everybody out while I can and there's really no pressure towards me," Brimmage said.
The Tigers now will travel to Pepperdine, Calif., to compete in the Pepperdine Asics Invitational. The team will face Eastern Washington, Rice and Pepperdine in a similar format to the Tiger Invitational. The tournament, which takes place Sept. 3 and 4, will be another test of just how good this season's Missouri team really is. The Tigers are 3-0 and will look to come back to Columbia unbeaten after this next test in California.
