Post by georgia(pacific)girl on Oct 15, 2004 13:43:56 GMT -5
Big match tonite at the Spanos Center. Article from the local paper: "it needs to happen" ;D
Tigers battle for first
By Bob Highfill
Record Staff Writer
Published Friday, October 15, 2004
STOCKTON -- The University of the Pacific women's volleyball team and its opponent tonight, Cal State Northridge, were picked to finish fourth and fifth in the Big West Conference preseason coaches' poll.
Yet, the Tigers will either be in sole possession or tied for first place with the Matadors at the midway point of conference play after their match at 7 p.m. at Spanos Center.
Why?
In Pacific's case, it's been because of its team play, as several Tigers have flourished accepting larger roles. But if one player has been the key to Pacific's 10-4 overall record and 7-1 conference mark, it's been senior setter Hayley Anderson.
"She's been unbelievable," Pacific coach Jayne McHugh said. "She's doing exactly what you'd want a senior setter to do for your team and not just as a setter but as a competitor, a teammate and a captain."
Anderson has led the Tigers to their unexpected place atop the conference standings with calm leadership and productive play in many areas.
The Saratoga native is third in the Big West with 12.36 assists per game. She's second on the team with 13 service aces and she's third in total blocks with 28, a big number for a setter. Anderson also has been an effective attacker, using her vision and instincts to spot openings in the opponent's defense and "dumping" the ball into those spots. In eight matches from Sept. 16 at Idaho to Oct. 9 at home against UC Riverside, she had 41 kills in 84 swings with only two errors (.464 hitting percentage).
"Being able to dump opens things up for other hitters," Anderson said. "They have to respect me before they go block another hitter."
Of course, Anderson's teammates have a big say in her setting. If Anderson is fed good passes, she can set more effectively. The Tigers weren't happy with their passing after Tuesday's non-conference loss to Stanford, so they emphasized that skill in preparation for Cal State Northridge (10-5, 6-2).
"We've been passing well all season," said senior defensive specialist Joanna Rentz, a primary passer when the Tigers are in serve-receive. "We worked on it Wednesday to get back in our rhythm."
Rentz and Anderson are in their fourth season together at Pacific. Rentz was on the receiving end of Anderson's sets as an outside hitter through her junior season and has 550 career kills. This season, Rentz is helping her friend with her passing.
"I can't say enough good stuff about her," Rentz said. "She's, in my mind, the best setter I've ever seen. She's very competitive and very much a perfectionist."
Anderson said she's enjoying her final season thus far.
"Our passing is incredible and it makes it easy for me to have fun and do the things I was taught to do," she said. "We have hitters who are so versatile. They've all worked really hard in spring and fall camp and every day in the gym and in games."
Tigers battle for first
By Bob Highfill
Record Staff Writer
Published Friday, October 15, 2004
STOCKTON -- The University of the Pacific women's volleyball team and its opponent tonight, Cal State Northridge, were picked to finish fourth and fifth in the Big West Conference preseason coaches' poll.
Yet, the Tigers will either be in sole possession or tied for first place with the Matadors at the midway point of conference play after their match at 7 p.m. at Spanos Center.
Why?
In Pacific's case, it's been because of its team play, as several Tigers have flourished accepting larger roles. But if one player has been the key to Pacific's 10-4 overall record and 7-1 conference mark, it's been senior setter Hayley Anderson.
"She's been unbelievable," Pacific coach Jayne McHugh said. "She's doing exactly what you'd want a senior setter to do for your team and not just as a setter but as a competitor, a teammate and a captain."
Anderson has led the Tigers to their unexpected place atop the conference standings with calm leadership and productive play in many areas.
The Saratoga native is third in the Big West with 12.36 assists per game. She's second on the team with 13 service aces and she's third in total blocks with 28, a big number for a setter. Anderson also has been an effective attacker, using her vision and instincts to spot openings in the opponent's defense and "dumping" the ball into those spots. In eight matches from Sept. 16 at Idaho to Oct. 9 at home against UC Riverside, she had 41 kills in 84 swings with only two errors (.464 hitting percentage).
"Being able to dump opens things up for other hitters," Anderson said. "They have to respect me before they go block another hitter."
Of course, Anderson's teammates have a big say in her setting. If Anderson is fed good passes, she can set more effectively. The Tigers weren't happy with their passing after Tuesday's non-conference loss to Stanford, so they emphasized that skill in preparation for Cal State Northridge (10-5, 6-2).
"We've been passing well all season," said senior defensive specialist Joanna Rentz, a primary passer when the Tigers are in serve-receive. "We worked on it Wednesday to get back in our rhythm."
Rentz and Anderson are in their fourth season together at Pacific. Rentz was on the receiving end of Anderson's sets as an outside hitter through her junior season and has 550 career kills. This season, Rentz is helping her friend with her passing.
"I can't say enough good stuff about her," Rentz said. "She's, in my mind, the best setter I've ever seen. She's very competitive and very much a perfectionist."
Anderson said she's enjoying her final season thus far.
"Our passing is incredible and it makes it easy for me to have fun and do the things I was taught to do," she said. "We have hitters who are so versatile. They've all worked really hard in spring and fall camp and every day in the gym and in games."
(like the game needed any more meaning) - loser moves into a 3 way tie for 4th! (assuming UCI beats Poly and Idaho beats fullerton both of which should happen)
Long Beach has already swept Northridge, AT NORTHRIDGE, so I would like our chances to make it a sweep when the two tangle again in the Mid.....still a lot of VB left to be played in the Big West that's for sure. I still expect that UCSB wins tomorrow night, but NOT when the two play in November at the Mid, and hopefully when we can get some of our 5 injured players back in the line-up! It's gonna be fun!