Post by bigfan on Sept 20, 2007 10:02:33 GMT -5
media.www.dailytrojan.com/media/storage/paper679/news/2007/09/20/Sports/Asu-Match.Marks.Start.Of.Pac10.Play-2980403.shtml
So what does a perfect 10-0 record mean to the No. 4 USC women's volleyball team? To coach Mick Haley, not much.
"We're kind of still trying to feel our way, but basically we're starting to get some semblance of organization," Haley said. "We've been pretty competitive even though we haven't really executed that well yet."
The reason for Haley's cautious skepticism comes from knowing that tonight, when the team faces Arizona State at the Galen Center at 7, the Pac-10 season is officially underway.
"With the start of the conference coming up, we have to kick it up another peg now," Haley said.
He may not sound like a coach that just led his team to an undefeated non-conference schedule, but Haley knows that this is the beginning of the season that matters.
"When you start playing in your conference, it now puts you in a place as far as first through 10th," Haley said. "The intensity of the preparation and each one of the conference matches will be unmatched across the country."
The Pac-10 boasts some of the stiffest competition in the country - something that Haley said challenges the team night in and night out. Along with USC, Stanford, UCLA, Washington and California are all ranked in the top 11.
"If you look at this right now, we have six teams in this conference that are legitimately challenging for the top 10 positions in the country, so you're almost playing in the top 10 every single night," Haley said.
During the non-conference slate, the Trojans suffered several injuries which gave the team's talented freshmen valuable game experience.
Starting outside hitter Jessica Gysin has battled through several minor injuries, including a sprained knee and bruised ribs. Libero Alli Hillgren has also been subject to minor injuries giving freshman Geena Urango more playing time.
"Geena Urango has really done a nice job in stepping in to the libero position," Haley said. Freshman outside hitter Kimmee Roleder has gotten a lot of looks stepping in for Gysin.
Senior outside hitter Asia Kaczor continues to lead the Women of Troy after being named Pac-10 Conference Player of the Week for her performance in the Trojans' wins over Ohio State and Purdue.
The team will face Arizona Friday night after taking on the Sun Devils Thursday. Haley knows how the intensity increases once teams enter into conference play and hopes that the fan base will help raise the excitement at the Galen Center in their opening matches.
"We'd like to have a big crowd in there," he said. "We want to have the student body in here Thursday night."
So what does a perfect 10-0 record mean to the No. 4 USC women's volleyball team? To coach Mick Haley, not much.
"We're kind of still trying to feel our way, but basically we're starting to get some semblance of organization," Haley said. "We've been pretty competitive even though we haven't really executed that well yet."
The reason for Haley's cautious skepticism comes from knowing that tonight, when the team faces Arizona State at the Galen Center at 7, the Pac-10 season is officially underway.
"With the start of the conference coming up, we have to kick it up another peg now," Haley said.
He may not sound like a coach that just led his team to an undefeated non-conference schedule, but Haley knows that this is the beginning of the season that matters.
"When you start playing in your conference, it now puts you in a place as far as first through 10th," Haley said. "The intensity of the preparation and each one of the conference matches will be unmatched across the country."
The Pac-10 boasts some of the stiffest competition in the country - something that Haley said challenges the team night in and night out. Along with USC, Stanford, UCLA, Washington and California are all ranked in the top 11.
"If you look at this right now, we have six teams in this conference that are legitimately challenging for the top 10 positions in the country, so you're almost playing in the top 10 every single night," Haley said.
During the non-conference slate, the Trojans suffered several injuries which gave the team's talented freshmen valuable game experience.
Starting outside hitter Jessica Gysin has battled through several minor injuries, including a sprained knee and bruised ribs. Libero Alli Hillgren has also been subject to minor injuries giving freshman Geena Urango more playing time.
"Geena Urango has really done a nice job in stepping in to the libero position," Haley said. Freshman outside hitter Kimmee Roleder has gotten a lot of looks stepping in for Gysin.
Senior outside hitter Asia Kaczor continues to lead the Women of Troy after being named Pac-10 Conference Player of the Week for her performance in the Trojans' wins over Ohio State and Purdue.
The team will face Arizona Friday night after taking on the Sun Devils Thursday. Haley knows how the intensity increases once teams enter into conference play and hopes that the fan base will help raise the excitement at the Galen Center in their opening matches.
"We'd like to have a big crowd in there," he said. "We want to have the student body in here Thursday night."