@MizzouVB Names Molly Kreklow New Volunteer Assistant Coach
2/8/2017 11:26:00 AM | Volleyball
Kreklow starred for Team USA (2014-16) and Mizzou (2010-13)
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Former U.S. National Team member and 2013 AVCA First Team All-American, Molly Kreklow, has been named the new volunteer assistant coach for Mizzou Volleyball, announced Wednesday by head coach Wayne Kreklow.
"We're very excited about adding Molly to our staff at Mizzou," Wayne said. "She brings a wealth of elite playing experience and training to our program and will obviously be very instrumental in setter training. Molly has spent time with some of the best coaches in the world and trained alongside elite level athletes. What has always impressed me about Molly is her ability to relate and connect to everyone around her."
"She genuinely cares about people and is very focused on helping our student-athletes accomplish not only their athletic goals, but their academic and personal goals as well. Molly embodies Mizzou Volleyball's core values of academic integrity, social responsibility and competitive excellence. She's a driven competitor with the ability to laugh and smile along the way. We're very glad to have her on board and look forward to many great things!"
"I'm extremely excited to rejoin the Mizzou Volleyball program and be back in Columbia, Mo.," Molly said. "It's an honor to be a part of this great staff. This group of players have an incredible work ethic and the will to learn, which led them to an SEC Championship last season. My goal is to make an impact as soon as possible by mentoring and encouraging our players to grow as athletes, students and people."
Molly has excelled in both the collegiate and professional volleyball ranks for the past eight years. From 2014-16, the Delano, Minn., native competed with the U.S. National Team at the FIVB World Cup and Grand Prixs. She captured a pair of bronze medals at the 2014-15 World Cups and a championship at the 2015 FIVB World Grand Prix.
At the 2015 FIVB World Grand Prix, Molly was sensational for Team USA, earning "Best Setter" honors. Led by her impressive performance, Team USA collectively recorded an outstanding .293 hitting percentage at the event. Later that year, Molly received USA Volleyball's "Female Indoor Most Improved Player of the Year" award.
"A big congratulations to Molly and Mizzou Volleyball," U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team head coach Karch Kiraly said. "Molly has some traits that make it possible for her to develop into a special coach. She has a huge heart and cares deeply about the people around her. She's a learner with a deep understanding of the growth process, its challenges and how to overcome them. And beneath the sweet exterior, she's a powerful leader and a fierce competitor. We will miss Molly with Team USA and we thank her for all the passion and energy she shared with our team."
The past three years, Molly has gained further professional playing experience overseas. She performed at the highest level on the court with three organizations – Dresdner SC (Dresden, Germany), Eczacibasi Vitra (Istanbul, Turkey) and Liu Jo Nordmeccanica Modena (Modena, Italy) – highlighted by a 2015 Bundesliga Championship with Dresdner.
From 2010-13, Molly solidified herself as one of the top players in Mizzou Volleyball history. During her 2013 senior campaign, Molly led the Tigers to a perfect 34-0 regular season record and the program's first-ever SEC Championship. She finished the memorable season with 1,480 assists, aiding the team's record setting .356 hitting percentage.
At the conclusion of the 2013 campaign, Molly was awarded AVCA First Team All-American and SEC Player of the Year honors. Over her four-year career in Mid-Missouri, Molly accumulated 5,366 assists, ranking second all-time in program history.
Molly received a Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Sciences in Dec. 2014 from the University of Missouri. She shined academically while in Columbia, Mo., receiving Missouri Dean's List recognition in each semester at the university.
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