Post by bigfan on May 11, 2006 10:34:53 GMT -5
NCAA CHAMPIONS: Volleyball set up to continue success
JENNIFER DRADER/daily bruin senior staff
Men’s volleyball coach Al Scates likes his team’s chances of repeating a national title. The Bruins will return with several key players, including Steve Klosterman.
By Michael Wozny
DAILY BRUIN REPORTER
mwozny@media.ucla.edu
The UCLA men's volleyball team had to reinvent its identity this year after losing six of seven starters from the previous season, and often struggled with inexperience.
But the Bruins ultimately managed to overcome their challenges and string together 14 consecutive wins, capturing the NCAA Championship last weekend at Penn State.
With three starters returning next year and many bench players getting valuable playing time this season, UCLA will again be challenged to compete for the NCAA title next year.
"We are going to have a very good team next year," coach Al Scates said. "The experience this team now has is invaluable. With just our returning players, we would be hard to beat, but we also have some great guys coming in."
The returning starters for the Bruins include opposite Steve Klosterman, outside hitter Paul George and libero Tony Ker.
Klosterman was the MVP of the NCAA Tournament, and came back from shoulder surgery last summer to lead the Bruins with 466 kills this season.
George was the Bruins' unsung hero, as he was second on the team with 400 kills, second in digs as well with 272, and the third-best UCLA blocker. Playing in 132 of the team's 135 total games, George provided the Bruins with an emotional leadership and consistency in a lineup that was often shuffled throughout the season.
Ker, a former All-American, led UCLA with 318 digs in his role as the team's libero, good enough for the second-highest tally in the nation.
"Tony takes more court than anyone else in the nation," Scates said. "... He does his job better than anyone in the country, and it's great to have him back next year."
An additional benefit for next year's squad will be the significant playing time several Bruins received this year.
Freshman outside hitter Sean O'Malley started for the first month of the season while Klosterman recovered from surgery, and contributed 119 kills in 49 games.
Likewise, freshman Matt Wade filled the starting setter position for much of the season, setting 8.93 assists per game as senior Dennis Gonzalez struggled with various injuries.
"Matt got some valuable experience this season as a freshman," Scates said. "He was able to compete for the starting spot with an experienced senior, so that shows how talented he is."
Although the returning players will certainly form a solid core, the four starting seniors will still be missed.
In addition to Gonzalez, seniors Nick Scheftic, David Russell and Damien Scott will be graduating. The lesson that can be taken from the current seniors is that hard work pays off, as none of the four were on the court for the NCAA Finals last season but all played major roles in this year's national championship.
"The seniors had a tremendous work ethic that is rare for players who haven't played a lot," Scates said. "These guys kept working hard to make themselves better until, by the end of the year, they were just amazing and clearly better than any team we played against.""
Filling in for the seniors will be several standout incoming freshmen, including Kent Kraushaar, Dylan Bowermaster and Garrett Muagututia.
"Those three guys are very gifted athletes who can play at almost any position," Scates said. "This recruiting class is among the best in UCLA history.
With great returning and incoming players, UCLA expects to be a dominant force in the nation next year and for many years to come.
"We have a little dynasty going at UCLA," Scates said. "I'd like to continue that for a few more years; maybe ten."
JENNIFER DRADER/daily bruin senior staff
Men’s volleyball coach Al Scates likes his team’s chances of repeating a national title. The Bruins will return with several key players, including Steve Klosterman.
By Michael Wozny
DAILY BRUIN REPORTER
mwozny@media.ucla.edu
The UCLA men's volleyball team had to reinvent its identity this year after losing six of seven starters from the previous season, and often struggled with inexperience.
But the Bruins ultimately managed to overcome their challenges and string together 14 consecutive wins, capturing the NCAA Championship last weekend at Penn State.
With three starters returning next year and many bench players getting valuable playing time this season, UCLA will again be challenged to compete for the NCAA title next year.
"We are going to have a very good team next year," coach Al Scates said. "The experience this team now has is invaluable. With just our returning players, we would be hard to beat, but we also have some great guys coming in."
The returning starters for the Bruins include opposite Steve Klosterman, outside hitter Paul George and libero Tony Ker.
Klosterman was the MVP of the NCAA Tournament, and came back from shoulder surgery last summer to lead the Bruins with 466 kills this season.
George was the Bruins' unsung hero, as he was second on the team with 400 kills, second in digs as well with 272, and the third-best UCLA blocker. Playing in 132 of the team's 135 total games, George provided the Bruins with an emotional leadership and consistency in a lineup that was often shuffled throughout the season.
Ker, a former All-American, led UCLA with 318 digs in his role as the team's libero, good enough for the second-highest tally in the nation.
"Tony takes more court than anyone else in the nation," Scates said. "... He does his job better than anyone in the country, and it's great to have him back next year."
An additional benefit for next year's squad will be the significant playing time several Bruins received this year.
Freshman outside hitter Sean O'Malley started for the first month of the season while Klosterman recovered from surgery, and contributed 119 kills in 49 games.
Likewise, freshman Matt Wade filled the starting setter position for much of the season, setting 8.93 assists per game as senior Dennis Gonzalez struggled with various injuries.
"Matt got some valuable experience this season as a freshman," Scates said. "He was able to compete for the starting spot with an experienced senior, so that shows how talented he is."
Although the returning players will certainly form a solid core, the four starting seniors will still be missed.
In addition to Gonzalez, seniors Nick Scheftic, David Russell and Damien Scott will be graduating. The lesson that can be taken from the current seniors is that hard work pays off, as none of the four were on the court for the NCAA Finals last season but all played major roles in this year's national championship.
"The seniors had a tremendous work ethic that is rare for players who haven't played a lot," Scates said. "These guys kept working hard to make themselves better until, by the end of the year, they were just amazing and clearly better than any team we played against.""
Filling in for the seniors will be several standout incoming freshmen, including Kent Kraushaar, Dylan Bowermaster and Garrett Muagututia.
"Those three guys are very gifted athletes who can play at almost any position," Scates said. "This recruiting class is among the best in UCLA history.
With great returning and incoming players, UCLA expects to be a dominant force in the nation next year and for many years to come.
"We have a little dynasty going at UCLA," Scates said. "I'd like to continue that for a few more years; maybe ten."