Calling the shots

The entrances are already decorated with white and blue NCAA tournament posters, and trash cans with fresh bags line the hallway. The advertisements that are usually on display are being covered, per NCAA tournament rules. Shouts of “Mine!” mix with the squeaking of sneakers, the thudding sound of the ball making contact with arms and hands and the soft electrical hum of the lighting.

The 10th-ranked MU volleyball team, led by head coach Wayne Kreklow, was marking its final practice Thursday afternoon before taking on Missouri State University at 7:30 this evening in the first round of the NCAA tournament. The stands were empty, save for parents of players, the Kreklow Krazies — a student fan group formed at the beginning of this year’s season, and a few other people drifting in and out.

Empty stands at games, however, are becoming a thing of the past for MU volleyball. Five of the volleyball team’s top six attendance records came during the 2005 season. The crowd of 7,298 at the Oct. 5 match against Nebraska nearly tripled the previous attendance record.

“Lines are expected to be very long tomorrow; we’re encouraging people to buy tickets in advance,” said Tom Lewis, media relations associate for the volleyball team. “It could match or exceed the Nebraska game.”

Lewis expects as few as 3,000 and as many as 8,000 people to attend the game.

MSU is filling a bus with fans from Springfield, and the school’s sports information director, Mark Stillwell, expects at least 100 Bears fans to make the trip to Columbia. MSU is holding a basketball tournament today and Saturday, and Stillwell said that may keep fans in town.

As Lewis chatted at Thursday’s practice with Larry and Dawn Allbery, they all kept an eye on the court.

“I think volleyball is going to be the next basketball,” Lewis said. “It’s fast-moving. It’s exciting.”

The Allberys are in town from Nebraska and came to practice to watch their daughter Melissa. They are pleased with the increasing attention the team is receiving.

“This is the third year she’s been here,” Dawn Allbery said. “We used to sit by ourselves down here; it’s nice to see it grow. I think people are surprised with the level of athleticism and power that the female athlete has. Plus, with our offense, I think we’re a fun team to watch.”

Six members of the Kreklow Krazies were also keeping watch on Thursday.

“We’re the Kreklow Krazies, and they’re the best team on campus,” Aaron Marks said. “It’s better to watch them practice than watch a lot of the other teams play.”

This is the first year the Krazies have been going to games.

“The first few games no one was here, but once the conference games started, there were more people,” Marks said. “There were over 7,000 at one game; it’s awesome.”

The Kreklow Krazies pretty much agree on why they enjoy MU volleyball.

“Because they win,” Jared Small said. “They’re fun to watch. There are not a lot of successful programs at MU, just average ones. It’s nice to follow a winning program.”

The Krazies aren’t too concerned about a rivalry with MSU, but get a little antsy at the mention of a busful of Bears fans.

Some of the Krazies flip through extra copies of the MSU volleyball team’s media guide, noting the coach’s names and making plans for signs. Meanwhile one weighs in with his opinion on the first round match-up.

“You have to be a good team to make it into the tournament, but I think that the teams are on two different levels, and I think we’ll show that,” Marks said.