updated 8/13/07
University of Missouri volleyball assistant coaches Deng Yang and Chen Feng enter their eighth season with the Tigers in 2007. Both have been extremely valuable to the Tigers in numerous ways. Along with assisting on the court, both Deng Yang and Chen Feng have been a valuable asset in the Tigers continued relationship with the volleyball teams of China.
The relationship began in summer of 2001 when the Tigers were able to visit the province for two weeks and train and travel around the countryside experiencing the Chinese culture to its fullest. The relationship continued to grow in the spring of 2002, when the Tigers welcomed the Southeast University squad from the Jiang Su Province for a week's stay in Columbia. Feng led the Tiger squad back to China in May 2005, visiting Beijing and the surrounding provinces. In April 2006, the couple welcomed BeiHang University of Beijing to Columbia. Yang and Feng have served as translators and ambassadors for both sides in what have truly been special cultural experiences.
Deng Yang primarily works with the setters in practice and aids in the day-to-day operations of the volleyball office while also assisting in the coordination of recruiting. She came to Missouri from Columbia College where she was a member of the Kreklow's men's volleyball coaching staff. Prior to joining the coaching staff, Yang was part of the Cougar women's volleyball program.
As a player, Yang was a two-time NAIA first team All-American (outside hitter in 1998 and setter in 1999) and was named 1999 NAIA National Player of the Year. She was also selected as the Most Valuable Player at the national tournament where the Cougars placed first.
Prior to moving to the United States, Yang played for the Chinese Junior National team for three years and the Chinese National team for one year. She was a member of the 1995 World Cup Championship team as well as a member of the Asia Princess Cup III Championship teams (1993 and 1996). She was recognized as the best setter in Asia in 1993. A native of Chang Zhou, China, Yang is married to Chen Feng.
Chen Feng, who was a Columbia College volleyball standout before the program was disbanded following the 1999-2000 season, assists the Kreklows in practices. He was an outstanding outside hitter for the Cougars, leading the men's team to a runner-up finish in 1999 and a national championship in 2000. Feng led the team in kills and service aces in 1999. As a freshman, he set a new Columbia College record with 4.7 kills per game. Also that year, he was a member of the All-MIVA (Midwest Intercollegiate Volleyball Association) first team and was the American Midwest Newcomer of the Year.
Like his wife, Deng Yang, Chen Feng was a member of the Chinese National Team from 1994-97. He led his team to a second-place finish in the Asian Championships and sixth-place in the World's Men's Championships.
Feng, who is a native of Nan Jing, China, graduated from Columbia College in 2002.
The couple welcomed their first child, Logan Chen, into the world on August 31, 2005.
