The Missouri volleyball team prides itself on a family-like atmosphere. For junior Ali Kreklow, it truly is her family.

Kreklow, a setter for the Tigers, is the daughter of head coach Wayne Kreklow and assistant coach Susan Kreklow.

Growing up with parents who coach, she was exposed to the sport of volleyball at a young age.

“I’ve been in the volleyball gym since I could walk,” she said. “I grew up in the volleyball world. Once I learned how to play, I was ready to get started.”

Before starting her career with the Tigers, Ali earned many accolades for both her high school and club teams.

Kreklow attended Rock Bridge High School, where she was team captain for the 2012 and 2013 seasons. She led the Bruins to the Class 4 state quarterfinals her senior year and was a four time all-district honoree. In her club career, Kreklow was a member of Performance Volleyball. She helped her team qualify for the USA Junior National Championship in 2013.

When it came time to look at colleges, Kreklow knew she wanted to stay close to home.

“I love Columbia, and I am a homebody,” she said. “I like being around my family.”

In her first two years at Mizzou, Kreklow continued her success. She amassed over 1,000 assists and 300 digs for the Tigers as a freshman and sophomore. Though she has not seen as much playing time as a junior, she still averages 4.14 assists per set.

Kreklow spends a large amount of time with her parents during practices, games and traveling from August to November.

“I get to see them everyday and we can expand our relationship,” Kreklow said. “I can separate them as my parents from my coaches.”

Growing up, Kreklow was unable to spend a lot of time with her parents.

“They were gone a lot, and I now know why they were gone all the time, but now we get to travel together,” Kreklow said.

Ali is not Wayne and Susan’s only relative to go through the Mizzou program. Molly Kreklow, Ali’s cousin, was a setter for the Tigers from 2010 to 2013.

[Molly played all four years](https://www.themaneater.com/stories/2016/10/7/despite-her-travels-molly-kreklow-still-finds-home/) as a student at Mizzou and went on to pursue a career with the U.S. national volleyball team.

“Molly and I are close,” Ali said. “We weren’t when we were younger because we were so busy with sports. I watched Molly go through her four years at Mizzou. She is a role model, and I know she is there for me.”

As a junior, Ali is near the end of her collegiate career. After this season ends, she will only have one year left playing with not just her teammates, but also with her parents.

“Having parents as coaches has its pros and cons,” she said. “But being able to go through this experience is something I wouldn’t trade for the world.”

_Edited by Peter Baugh | pbaugh@themaneater.com_