Post by 808 on Nov 30, 2006 16:53:36 GMT -5
starbulletin.com/2006/11/30/sports/story02.html
Wahine face deep field at the Beach
Oregon, Pepperdine and host Long Beach are formidable foes
By Cindy Luis
cluis@starbulletin.com
NCAA SUBREGIONAL
At Long Beach, Calif.; all times Hawaii time
Tomorrow: No. 12 Hawaii (26-5) vs. Oregon (17-11), 3 p.m.; No. 24 Pepperdine (16-11) at Long Beach State (25-5), 5:30 p.m.
Saturday: Tomorrow's winners, 5 p.m.
Radio: Tomorrow, 1420-AM; Saturday (if Hawaii advances), 1080-AM
TV: UH matches, KFVE
LONG BEACH, Calif. ยป Pick a team. Any team.
Because this NCAA volleyball subregional is one of the toughest of the 16 this week.
One conference champion (Hawaii). Two league runners-up (Pepperdine and Long Beach State). And a team (Oregon) that has the distinction of playing in the top conference in the country (Pac-10) and the misfortune of seeing five top-15 teams in its last seven matches-- all losses -- including Nos. 2, 3, 4 and 6.
There is plenty of power at The Pyramid, beginning with tomorrow's first-round match between No. 12 Hawaii (26-5) and Oregon (17-11). The winner advances to Saturday's second round against the winner of tomorrow's match between host Long Beach State (25-5) and No. 24 Pepperdine (16-11).
"Who knows who'll be playing Saturday," 49ers coach Brian Gimmillaro said.
"It could be us and Hawaii, it could be Oregon and Pepperdine. I'm still trying to figure out why Hawaii isn't hosting, but one of the last times I asked for some feedback from the NCAA, they said they'd get back to me. That was 18 years ago."
Three teams' seasons will be over by Saturday night, with one heading to Honolulu for the regional semifinal at the Stan Sheriff Center.
A look at the four teams:
BY THE NUMBERS
A look at the teams playing in the Long Beach, Calif., subregional
HAWAII (26-5)
Coach: Dave Shoji (32nd, 923-162-1)
Rank: 12
Conference finish: 1st (15-1)
Berth: WAC automatic
NCAA appearances: 25
NCAA tournament: 58-21
NCAA titles: 1982-83, '87
OREGON (17-11)
Coach: Jim Moore (2nd year, 29-29)
Rank: Others receiving votes
Conference finish: T-6th (7-11)
Berth: Pac-10 at-large
NCAA appearances: 5
NCAA record: 1-4
NCAA titles: None
Series: UH leads 6-1
LONG BEACH STATE (25-5)
Coach: Brian Gimmillaro (22 years, 603-140)
Rank: Others receiving votes
Conference finish: 2nd (12-2)
Berth: Big West at-large
NCAA appearances: 21
NCAA tournament: 45-17
NCAA titles: 1989, '93, 98
Series: UH leads 22-15-1
PEPPERDINE (16-11)
Coach: Nina Matthies (23 years, 440-263)
Rank: 24
Conference finish: 2nd (11-3)
Berth: West Coast at-large
NCAA appearances: 18
NCAA tournament: 14-17
NCAA titles: None
Series: UH leads 24-3
Hawaii (26-5)
Win or lose here, the Rainbow Wahine will be making the trip back across the Pacific; they hope it's to keep the season alive.
After seeing the past two seasons end far from home -- sweet-16 losses in Green Bay, Wis., and Penn State -- Hawaii has the biggest motivation. The Wahine would like to play two more at home before making a sixth trip to the mainland to continue the tournament in Omaha, Neb., allowing senior All-America setter Kanoe Kamana'o to bookend her record-setting career with final-four appearances.
After losing three players to season-ending injuries, Hawaii has settled into a comfortable, steady lineup, one that has won 13 straight. The Wahine have had dominating performances from their two left-side hitters -- senior Sarah Mason and sophomore junior Jamie Houston -- as well as a huge block, led by junior middles Kari Gregory and Juliana Sanders.
Houston, the Western Athletic Conference MVP, is fifth nationally in kills (5.48 kpg) and Mason, averaging 4.00 kpg, ranks 18th with her 58 aces. Gregory is 17th in the country in blocks (1.53 bpg).
And then there's Kamana'o, the UH and WAC career assist leader. She is 53 assists away from replacing Long Beach State's Sheri Sanders as No. 10 on the NCAA's career assist list.
"We're about as healthy as we can be," Hawaii coach Dave Shoji said. "We're not going to look ahead (to Saturday) because Oregon has some good players and they play in the best conference in the country.
"It comes down to skills again, serving and passing well. Going back home to play (in the regional) is a great motivation."
Did you know: Hawaii played all three teams in this subregional in 2000, going 4-1. The lone loss was to Long Beach State in the 49ers' Thanksgiving tournament, a defeat the Wahine avenged in the regional semifinal in Honolulu. ... Sophomore defensive specialist Elise Duggins played one season at Long Beach State before sitting out last season and transferring to UH.
Oregon (17-11)
The Ducks were 17-4 before nearly going 0-for-November with seven straight losses. It's been a very frustrating few weeks for second-year coach Jim Moore, who was named the Pac-10 Coach of the Year on Monday.
"We had struggled down the stretch," Moore, a Long Beach State grad, said.
"It's frustrating to think we were 17-4 a few weeks ago. But we've played very hard, had match point on (defending NCAA champion) Washington but lost 16-14 in Game 5.
"We know we're playing a very good team in Hawaii. We'll have to do everything well to win. We've been very good about playing as a team, instead of relying on one player. We need everyone to show up Friday."
Four of the Ducks' losses were to teams ranked in the top 6, all from the Pac-10: No. 2 Stanford, No. 3 Washington, No. 4 UCLA and No. 6 USC. A fifth came to No. 15 Cal. The other two were on the road following the emotionally draining 3-2 loss to the Huskies, at Arizona in five and at Arizona State in four.
The Ducks beat Long Beach State here in four on Aug. 30. This is their first NCAA appearance since 1989.
Oregon, which runs a two-setter offense, has five foreign players on the roster, led by sophomore hitter Mira Djuric (3.38 kpg, .255 hitting, 44 aces), who was voted the best server at the European Under-18 Championships.
Freshman hitter Sonja Newcombe, leads the team in kills (3.60).
Did you know: Oregon's lone NCAA victory came against two-time defending champion Hawaii in the first round in 1984, one of only two times the Wahine lost a first-round match. ... Wahine senior Sarah Mason played two seasons for the Ducks, who went 1-35 in the Pac-10 during Mason's stay in Eugene.
Long Beach State (25-5)
Ask coach Brian Gimmillaro how to beat Pepperdine and it's the same answer he's given during the previous 21 years with the 49ers: "Score the last point."
"We do what we've always done, and that is to concentrate on our side of the net, our execution," he said. "Pepperdine is the biggest team in the country, well-coached, and they've been playing well lately. We'll continue to do what we've been doing on our side all season and see what happens."
The Beach is led by 6-3 junior middle Alexis Crimes, the co-Big West player of the year, who is averaging 3.79 kills and 1.41 blocks per game. Their setter is Nicole Vargas, a 5-8 sophomore averaging 12.51 assists who is the daughter of former Olympic setter Debbie Green, a 49ers assistant.
Did you know: The last time the 49ers hosted a subregional (2001), the Beach advanced to the final four. The Beach also hosted the regional that year, which saw Hawaii lose to UCLA in a semifinal, the Wahine's last visit to the Pyramid. ... The 49ers are 27-1 all-time in NCAA tournament home matches, 16-0 in the Pyramid. ... Gimmillaro earned his 600th career victory against UOP -- coached by former Hawaii associate coach Charlie Wade -- on Nov. 18.
Pepperdine (16-11)
Senior libero Kekai Crabbe (Kamehameha) has captained a very young team (three sophomores, three freshman) in winning eight of their last nine. The Waves saw their seven-match winning streak ended last week at UCLA, falling to the No. 4 Bruins in five after leading 3-1.
"We're still growing as a team," said Pepperdine coach Nina Matthies, who opened the season with two five-game losses at Hawaii. "It's taken a while for us to mesh. Lately, I think we've come together as a team, matured, and begun to realize the importance of 'now.' "
Setter Kiah Fiers, the WCC freshman of the year, averages 11.97 assists, with three hitters averaging over 3.30 kpg, led by sophomore hitter Julie Rubinstein's 3.50 kpg. Crabbe, the WCC defensive player of the year, averages 5.02 digs.
Pepperdine, the NCAA's tallest team, averages 2.79 blocks per game. (Hawaii averages 3.54 bpg).
Did you know: Pepperdine junior reserve setter Chevon Crum is the younger sister of Long Beach State senior opposite Mariko Crum. ... Pepperdine is 15-15-1 against Long Beach State but haven't won since 1984, dropping the last 11 meetings.
Wahine face deep field at the Beach
Oregon, Pepperdine and host Long Beach are formidable foes
By Cindy Luis
cluis@starbulletin.com
NCAA SUBREGIONAL
At Long Beach, Calif.; all times Hawaii time
Tomorrow: No. 12 Hawaii (26-5) vs. Oregon (17-11), 3 p.m.; No. 24 Pepperdine (16-11) at Long Beach State (25-5), 5:30 p.m.
Saturday: Tomorrow's winners, 5 p.m.
Radio: Tomorrow, 1420-AM; Saturday (if Hawaii advances), 1080-AM
TV: UH matches, KFVE
LONG BEACH, Calif. ยป Pick a team. Any team.
Because this NCAA volleyball subregional is one of the toughest of the 16 this week.
One conference champion (Hawaii). Two league runners-up (Pepperdine and Long Beach State). And a team (Oregon) that has the distinction of playing in the top conference in the country (Pac-10) and the misfortune of seeing five top-15 teams in its last seven matches-- all losses -- including Nos. 2, 3, 4 and 6.
There is plenty of power at The Pyramid, beginning with tomorrow's first-round match between No. 12 Hawaii (26-5) and Oregon (17-11). The winner advances to Saturday's second round against the winner of tomorrow's match between host Long Beach State (25-5) and No. 24 Pepperdine (16-11).
"Who knows who'll be playing Saturday," 49ers coach Brian Gimmillaro said.
"It could be us and Hawaii, it could be Oregon and Pepperdine. I'm still trying to figure out why Hawaii isn't hosting, but one of the last times I asked for some feedback from the NCAA, they said they'd get back to me. That was 18 years ago."
Three teams' seasons will be over by Saturday night, with one heading to Honolulu for the regional semifinal at the Stan Sheriff Center.
A look at the four teams:
BY THE NUMBERS
A look at the teams playing in the Long Beach, Calif., subregional
HAWAII (26-5)
Coach: Dave Shoji (32nd, 923-162-1)
Rank: 12
Conference finish: 1st (15-1)
Berth: WAC automatic
NCAA appearances: 25
NCAA tournament: 58-21
NCAA titles: 1982-83, '87
OREGON (17-11)
Coach: Jim Moore (2nd year, 29-29)
Rank: Others receiving votes
Conference finish: T-6th (7-11)
Berth: Pac-10 at-large
NCAA appearances: 5
NCAA record: 1-4
NCAA titles: None
Series: UH leads 6-1
LONG BEACH STATE (25-5)
Coach: Brian Gimmillaro (22 years, 603-140)
Rank: Others receiving votes
Conference finish: 2nd (12-2)
Berth: Big West at-large
NCAA appearances: 21
NCAA tournament: 45-17
NCAA titles: 1989, '93, 98
Series: UH leads 22-15-1
PEPPERDINE (16-11)
Coach: Nina Matthies (23 years, 440-263)
Rank: 24
Conference finish: 2nd (11-3)
Berth: West Coast at-large
NCAA appearances: 18
NCAA tournament: 14-17
NCAA titles: None
Series: UH leads 24-3
Hawaii (26-5)
Win or lose here, the Rainbow Wahine will be making the trip back across the Pacific; they hope it's to keep the season alive.
After seeing the past two seasons end far from home -- sweet-16 losses in Green Bay, Wis., and Penn State -- Hawaii has the biggest motivation. The Wahine would like to play two more at home before making a sixth trip to the mainland to continue the tournament in Omaha, Neb., allowing senior All-America setter Kanoe Kamana'o to bookend her record-setting career with final-four appearances.
After losing three players to season-ending injuries, Hawaii has settled into a comfortable, steady lineup, one that has won 13 straight. The Wahine have had dominating performances from their two left-side hitters -- senior Sarah Mason and sophomore junior Jamie Houston -- as well as a huge block, led by junior middles Kari Gregory and Juliana Sanders.
Houston, the Western Athletic Conference MVP, is fifth nationally in kills (5.48 kpg) and Mason, averaging 4.00 kpg, ranks 18th with her 58 aces. Gregory is 17th in the country in blocks (1.53 bpg).
And then there's Kamana'o, the UH and WAC career assist leader. She is 53 assists away from replacing Long Beach State's Sheri Sanders as No. 10 on the NCAA's career assist list.
"We're about as healthy as we can be," Hawaii coach Dave Shoji said. "We're not going to look ahead (to Saturday) because Oregon has some good players and they play in the best conference in the country.
"It comes down to skills again, serving and passing well. Going back home to play (in the regional) is a great motivation."
Did you know: Hawaii played all three teams in this subregional in 2000, going 4-1. The lone loss was to Long Beach State in the 49ers' Thanksgiving tournament, a defeat the Wahine avenged in the regional semifinal in Honolulu. ... Sophomore defensive specialist Elise Duggins played one season at Long Beach State before sitting out last season and transferring to UH.
Oregon (17-11)
The Ducks were 17-4 before nearly going 0-for-November with seven straight losses. It's been a very frustrating few weeks for second-year coach Jim Moore, who was named the Pac-10 Coach of the Year on Monday.
"We had struggled down the stretch," Moore, a Long Beach State grad, said.
"It's frustrating to think we were 17-4 a few weeks ago. But we've played very hard, had match point on (defending NCAA champion) Washington but lost 16-14 in Game 5.
"We know we're playing a very good team in Hawaii. We'll have to do everything well to win. We've been very good about playing as a team, instead of relying on one player. We need everyone to show up Friday."
Four of the Ducks' losses were to teams ranked in the top 6, all from the Pac-10: No. 2 Stanford, No. 3 Washington, No. 4 UCLA and No. 6 USC. A fifth came to No. 15 Cal. The other two were on the road following the emotionally draining 3-2 loss to the Huskies, at Arizona in five and at Arizona State in four.
The Ducks beat Long Beach State here in four on Aug. 30. This is their first NCAA appearance since 1989.
Oregon, which runs a two-setter offense, has five foreign players on the roster, led by sophomore hitter Mira Djuric (3.38 kpg, .255 hitting, 44 aces), who was voted the best server at the European Under-18 Championships.
Freshman hitter Sonja Newcombe, leads the team in kills (3.60).
Did you know: Oregon's lone NCAA victory came against two-time defending champion Hawaii in the first round in 1984, one of only two times the Wahine lost a first-round match. ... Wahine senior Sarah Mason played two seasons for the Ducks, who went 1-35 in the Pac-10 during Mason's stay in Eugene.
Long Beach State (25-5)
Ask coach Brian Gimmillaro how to beat Pepperdine and it's the same answer he's given during the previous 21 years with the 49ers: "Score the last point."
"We do what we've always done, and that is to concentrate on our side of the net, our execution," he said. "Pepperdine is the biggest team in the country, well-coached, and they've been playing well lately. We'll continue to do what we've been doing on our side all season and see what happens."
The Beach is led by 6-3 junior middle Alexis Crimes, the co-Big West player of the year, who is averaging 3.79 kills and 1.41 blocks per game. Their setter is Nicole Vargas, a 5-8 sophomore averaging 12.51 assists who is the daughter of former Olympic setter Debbie Green, a 49ers assistant.
Did you know: The last time the 49ers hosted a subregional (2001), the Beach advanced to the final four. The Beach also hosted the regional that year, which saw Hawaii lose to UCLA in a semifinal, the Wahine's last visit to the Pyramid. ... The 49ers are 27-1 all-time in NCAA tournament home matches, 16-0 in the Pyramid. ... Gimmillaro earned his 600th career victory against UOP -- coached by former Hawaii associate coach Charlie Wade -- on Nov. 18.
Pepperdine (16-11)
Senior libero Kekai Crabbe (Kamehameha) has captained a very young team (three sophomores, three freshman) in winning eight of their last nine. The Waves saw their seven-match winning streak ended last week at UCLA, falling to the No. 4 Bruins in five after leading 3-1.
"We're still growing as a team," said Pepperdine coach Nina Matthies, who opened the season with two five-game losses at Hawaii. "It's taken a while for us to mesh. Lately, I think we've come together as a team, matured, and begun to realize the importance of 'now.' "
Setter Kiah Fiers, the WCC freshman of the year, averages 11.97 assists, with three hitters averaging over 3.30 kpg, led by sophomore hitter Julie Rubinstein's 3.50 kpg. Crabbe, the WCC defensive player of the year, averages 5.02 digs.
Pepperdine, the NCAA's tallest team, averages 2.79 blocks per game. (Hawaii averages 3.54 bpg).
Did you know: Pepperdine junior reserve setter Chevon Crum is the younger sister of Long Beach State senior opposite Mariko Crum. ... Pepperdine is 15-15-1 against Long Beach State but haven't won since 1984, dropping the last 11 meetings.
