Quoting Kreklow: “Naaron has made great strides during the off-season with blocking and indivdual defense” Kreklow said. “She is a great athlete with an extremely fast arm, who is capable of putting up big numbers on the right side. We look for her to continue improving her consistency.”
2000: Named to the academic All-Big 12 second team...bounced back from slow start ...through the first 14 matches of the campaign, averaged only 1.71 kills per game, 1.66 kills per game short of 1999’s 3.37 kpg pace...had a break-out 10-kill, 10-dig, 8-block performance in Mizzou’s sweep of Kansas State on Sept. 30...after that match, averaged 3.37 kills per game and recorded four double-doubles...ranked fourth on the Tiger squad in blocks per game (0.66), third in digs per game (2.54), and second on the squad in assists (29).
1999: The Tigers’ main floor leader with excellent offensive and defensive skills ... led team in games played, kills, kills per game, attacks, service aces, digs and digs per game ...notched a career-high 22 kills in 60 attacks against Iowa State...recorded eight double-doubles in 1999....set new career highs in nearly every statistical category...led team with 344 kills (3.37 per game), 294 digs (2.88 per game) and 31 service aces...member of all three all-tournament teams in which the Tigers participated...seventh among Big 12 leaders in service aces (all matches).
1998: A big playmaker...Freshman of the Year finalist in the Big 12 Conference...third on the team with 275 kills, 234 digs and 55 block assists...had a career-high 19 kills against Texas A&M and Oklahoma.
AT SOUTHSIDE: Three-year varsity volleyball letter-winner ...earned all-state honors as a sophomore, junior and senior and all-tournament honors as a sophomore and junior...named MVP and earned all-tournament honors at the Arkansas State High School Championships...led Southside to state championship her senior year ...earned all-conference honors her sophomore, junior and senior seasons ...led Southside to a 98-4 overall record during her sophomore, junior and senior years...Gatorade Player of the Year in Arkansas her senior year.
Branson’s Career Statistics
| Year | GP | K | E | TA | PCT | A | SA | DIGS | BS | BA |
| 1998 | 111 | 275 | 119 | 668 | .234 | 21 | 23 | 234 | 6 | 55 |
| 1999 | 102 | 344 | 199 | 888 | .163 | 37 | 31 | 294 | 5 | 47 |
| 2000 | 100 | 266 | 79 | 614 | .305 | 30 | 14 | 254 | 17 | 50 |
|
| TOTAL | 313 | 885 | 397 | 2170 | .225 | 88 | 68 | 782 | 28 | 152 |
