Joined by friends, family and fans, the Missouri volleyball team applauded with delight when its seeding was announced at the NCAA Volleyball Tournament Special Selection watch party.

The Tigers received the No. 15 national seed for the NCAA tournament, and they are hosting their games in the first and second rounds of the tournament.

“We are all really proud of how far we have come this year,” redshirt junior Kira Larson said. “The selection show picks the seeding, but we are just happy to be playing in the tournament.”

In the first round of the tournament, the Tigers will take on Northern Illinois. The winner will play the winner of a match between Iowa State and Purdue.

“We are going to have to prepare and be ready to go,” coach Wayne Kreklow said. “Northern Illinois is a good team that has lots of energy.”

If there are no upsets, Missouri will play No. 2 Minnesota in the Sweet Sixteen.

In addition to a tournament celebration, the honoring of the four seniors spilled over from Saturday’s senior night game.

Kreklow honored the four seniors by speaking about each individual and their contribution to Mizzou’s program.

**A look at Kreklow’s remarks on the seniors:**

Alexa Ethridge is a transfer from Nebraska, and finished her last two years of college at Missouri.

“She has done such a tremendous job and is such a big part of the success that we’ve had,” Kreklow said. “She came in and is a primary passer. She is an important part of what we have done and is so valuable in the back row.”

Julia Towler is from Blue Springs, Missouri, and spent all four years as a Tiger.

“Julia has been such an important part of everything we have done, she steps up and is crucial in important matches,” Kreklow said. “She provided the leadership on and off the court that is so valuable for this group.”

Emily Thater is from Springfield, Missouri, and also completed four years at Mizzou.

“Emily has come such a long way in four years, she has made such a tremendous jump from freshman year ‘til now,” Kreklow said. “She came in unsure of herself, and now she is a confident, composed and competitive player.”

Finally — all the way from Honolulu, Hawaii — Carly Kan also finished with four years in the program.

“Carly has done so much for our program these last four years and has done a phenomenal job of playing the game,” Kreklow said. “Carly has all the qualities you want in a player and a person, she has the heart, the fight and the leadership skills like no other.”

Getting ready to enter the postseason, the coach has one message for his team.

“Everyone on this team has a [Southeastern Conference championship] ring, and they earned it,” Kreklow said. “No one can take that away from you regardless of what happens in the postseason.”

_Edited by Peter Baugh | pbaugh@themaneater.com_