Mizzou Volleyball has added transfer MB Anna D’Cruz to its 2020 roster, announced Friday by head coach Joshua Taylor. D’Cruz will join the Tigers this fall as a redshirt junior after spending the 2017-19 campaigns at the University of Alabama-Birmingham.
“We’re incredibly excited to add Anna to our roster for the next two years,” Taylor said. “After getting time to get to know her through the transfer process it quickly became apparent that she is a stud of a person and would fit perfectly into our team’s culture. She brings size, athleticism and efficiency to the middle position. We can’t wait to get her in the gym!”
D’Cruz enjoyed a breakthrough 2019 redshirt sophomore season at UAB, pacing the Blazers in solo blocks (11), block assists (79) and total blocks (90.0). She also produced career-highs offensively in kills (129) and points (180.5).
“Coming to Mizzou means a lot of great things to me,” D’Cruz said. “It means I get to play with extremely talented athletes competing in the SEC and further pursuing my dream of being the best volleyball player I can be. After getting to know the amazing coaching staff at Mizzou, it’s evident how much they care about their players on and off the court.”
“I want to sincerely thank them for this opportunity. I also want to thank my family for always supporting my dreams, along with my previous coaches who’ve always been there for me. I’m so looking forward to joining the Tiger family! They have already been so welcoming. I can’t wait to start practice and the chance to compete in the NCAA Tournament.”
D’Cruz was the Blazers’ top defensive threat at the net in 2019, recording at least one total block in all 27 matches played. The Atlanta native posted multiple total blocks 23 times, highlighted by a career-high eight total blocks at Samford (Sept. 7, 2019).
The talented middle blocker enjoyed a dominant defensive stretch early in the season, tallying five-plus total blocks seven times over an 11-match stretch.
D’Cruz also consistently contributed offensively for UAB, posting five-plus kills in a match 12 times and .400-plus hitting percentage in five contests. Her top offensive night occurred versus Jackson State (Sept. 19, 2019), as she exploded for 13 kills on .500 hitting. D’Cruz also tacked on a service ace and six total blocks en route to a career-best 17.0 points.
After taking a redshirt campaign in 2017, D’Cruz made her UAB debut in 2018 and appeared in 59 sets. She finished with 10 kills, two assists, four digs, one solo block and three total blocks.
Prior to her collegiate career, D’Cruz starred at Woodward Academy in Atlanta from 2013-16. She played a key role into Woodward reaching the state semifinals all four years, including a trip to the finals her senior campaign.
D’Cruz was named 2016 all-state after posting 197 kills on .318 hitting, 16 solo blocks and 47 total blocks. She broke through in her 2015 junior season, earning honorable mention all-state accolades after recording 158 kills on .326 hitting and 60 total blocks.
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