Post by bigfan on Oct 17, 2006 15:22:01 GMT -5
Loss shines light on faults
Kelli Tennant or Katelyn Bishop will be named the starter at the middle blocker position this week.
By falling to No. 3 Stanford last week, the No. 5 USC women's volleyball team not only lost for the first time in 2006, but also recognized the need for more adjustment between now and the November NCAA tournament.
"We were real disappointed that we didn't play better against Stanford, but we also think we could play a lot better," USC coach Mick Haley said.
"We are going to work on ourselves for a while here," Haley said. "We have a lot of little things to correct, especially on our coverage. We have enough data now that we can tell with our system what changes need to be made relative to all the numbers."
In comparison to other teams in the Pacific-10 Conference, USC ranks near the middle-top in regard to hitting percentage, assists, kills and blocks.
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The final starting position at middle blocker will likely be awarded to either sophomore Kelli Tennant or junior Katelyn Bishop by the end of this week.
"We'll make a decision on them relative to how they practice," Haley said.
The pair has continued to contribute from the middle, as Bishop made the start against Stanford and Tennant against California.
"We just go back and forth and have a good attitude about it," Tennant said following the victory Friday. "Obviously one of us wants to play all the time, but if this is what the team needs and we're winning, then we're going to do whatever it takes."
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As for the pressure attached with facing some of the nation's best teams lately, Haley remains confident in the abilities of the younger players, particularly starters freshman setter Taylor Carico and redshirt sophomore outside hitter Jessica Gysin.
"I think it's tough on (Carico and Gysin)," Haley said. "They've been remarkable so far. As long as they don't panic, they're always trying to be perfect. Each of them has their ups and downs, but overall I'm pleased with everything.
"They can't start worrying about themselves though, because they have to keep the team as the main focus," Haley said. "They're both athletically gifted and they have to rely on good self-confidence. We always do well if Taylor and Jess stay with that."
Senior Debora Seilhamer, the backup libero in 2003 when USC won the national championship, has some experience with the pressure of a rigorous schedule.
"Once we go to the NCAA tournament, we won't be at home, so it's good that we're preparing against such good teams like Stanford and Cal," Seilhamer said. "I know how to deal with it now (after three years), but there's a lot of people who it's good for that we're preparing ourselves in October."
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Junior middle blocker Marta Siemiatkowska made a brief appearance against Stanford, but will be more important to the mix as she gets better in practice.
"Marta thought she should do better, but she's going to lighten up on her self," Haley said. "If she improves in practice, then she'll get more playing time."
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The Women of Troy dropped one spot in the rankings after their loss to Stanford Thursday night.
UCLA also dropped one spot to No. 4 after its own loss to Stanford the next night. Stanford leapfrogged teams to the No. 3 spot, becoming the highest-ranked team in the Pac-10.
Kelli Tennant or Katelyn Bishop will be named the starter at the middle blocker position this week.
By falling to No. 3 Stanford last week, the No. 5 USC women's volleyball team not only lost for the first time in 2006, but also recognized the need for more adjustment between now and the November NCAA tournament.
"We were real disappointed that we didn't play better against Stanford, but we also think we could play a lot better," USC coach Mick Haley said.
"We are going to work on ourselves for a while here," Haley said. "We have a lot of little things to correct, especially on our coverage. We have enough data now that we can tell with our system what changes need to be made relative to all the numbers."
In comparison to other teams in the Pacific-10 Conference, USC ranks near the middle-top in regard to hitting percentage, assists, kills and blocks.
-
The final starting position at middle blocker will likely be awarded to either sophomore Kelli Tennant or junior Katelyn Bishop by the end of this week.
"We'll make a decision on them relative to how they practice," Haley said.
The pair has continued to contribute from the middle, as Bishop made the start against Stanford and Tennant against California.
"We just go back and forth and have a good attitude about it," Tennant said following the victory Friday. "Obviously one of us wants to play all the time, but if this is what the team needs and we're winning, then we're going to do whatever it takes."
-
As for the pressure attached with facing some of the nation's best teams lately, Haley remains confident in the abilities of the younger players, particularly starters freshman setter Taylor Carico and redshirt sophomore outside hitter Jessica Gysin.
"I think it's tough on (Carico and Gysin)," Haley said. "They've been remarkable so far. As long as they don't panic, they're always trying to be perfect. Each of them has their ups and downs, but overall I'm pleased with everything.
"They can't start worrying about themselves though, because they have to keep the team as the main focus," Haley said. "They're both athletically gifted and they have to rely on good self-confidence. We always do well if Taylor and Jess stay with that."
Senior Debora Seilhamer, the backup libero in 2003 when USC won the national championship, has some experience with the pressure of a rigorous schedule.
"Once we go to the NCAA tournament, we won't be at home, so it's good that we're preparing against such good teams like Stanford and Cal," Seilhamer said. "I know how to deal with it now (after three years), but there's a lot of people who it's good for that we're preparing ourselves in October."
-
Junior middle blocker Marta Siemiatkowska made a brief appearance against Stanford, but will be more important to the mix as she gets better in practice.
"Marta thought she should do better, but she's going to lighten up on her self," Haley said. "If she improves in practice, then she'll get more playing time."
-
The Women of Troy dropped one spot in the rankings after their loss to Stanford Thursday night.
UCLA also dropped one spot to No. 4 after its own loss to Stanford the next night. Stanford leapfrogged teams to the No. 3 spot, becoming the highest-ranked team in the Pac-10.
