The 2005 season was a memorable one for the Missouri volleyball team. The Tigers were ranked No. 8 nationally with a 25-5 record, their most successful season in program history.
After beating No. 6 Hawaii in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA tournament, the team was just one game away from reaching the Final Four. To make things even better, their opponent in the Elite Eight was Tennessee, a team they had beaten in straight sets earlier in the season.
The Tigers were firing on all cylinders against Tennessee. Five different players had double-digit kills that night, and setter Lindsey Hunter finished with 61 assists.
But it was not meant to be. On Dec. 10, 2005, the Tigers lost to the Volunteers 30-28, 30-27, 25-30 and 30-17. Since then, Missouri has never made it back to the Elite Eight and coincidentally has never played Tennessee.
On Wednesday, in the program’s first game as members in the Southeastern Conference, Missouri will get a chance for revenge against the No. 17 Lady Volunteers.
Lindsey Hunter will be there, on the sidelines this time. Wayne Kreklow, the coach for whom she played, brought her in as an assistant coach last season. The final game of her career was against Tennessee, and she still remembers the emotions from that night.
“Afterward we were disappointed because we had such a strong year,” Hunter said. “We had beaten them earlier that year at home in three, so walking in we had confidence. When they came out with as much energy as we did, I don’t think we were mentally prepared. It was a tough one.”
Since none of the current players were at MU in 2005, Hunter hasn’t brought up the history during practices. But a win under the circumstances would be big nonetheless, she said.
“Our main thing is that we want to play our game and not worry about what the other side is doing,” Hunter said. “It’s not just a revenge thing — it’s about starting off on the right foot in the conference. Playing on ESPNU, I don’t think you could ask for a bigger home opener to start in the SEC. I’m hoping we win and get some redemption for that 2005 team.”
The Tigers went 2-1 this weekend at the Morehead State Eagle Challenge in Morehead, Ky., improving their record to 8-2 but falling to the host team Friday in five sets. Junior setter Molly Kreklow said she was disappointed with the loss, but it could help the team.
“It was kind of an up–and-down weekend,” she said. “Morehead (State) was a tough team to play, especially in their house, and we didn’t have our best game. But we know what we need to work on to keep getting better, so in that sense it was a good weekend.”
In the 10 games leading up to Tennessee, Molly Kreklow said she has noticed improvements in herself and her teammates.
“We’ve gotten a lot better at overall game plan stuff,” she said. “Reading where the hitters are going, where the setter will set the ball. Also, our serving and passing has really improved since the first week, and that will make a big difference on Wednesday.”
Wayne Kreklow said he knows what the team needs to do to be competitive with Tennessee.
“They may be the most talented team in the league,” Wayne Kreklow said. “We’re going to have to execute well, serve tough, pass well and try to force them to make plays. If we try to make it a high ball game we’ll be at a disadvantage. It’s going to be up to us to keep the game tempo at a quick pace and not let their big physical players get into position.”
The Tigers and Lady Vols tip off at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Hearnes Center.