Post by Barefoot In Kailua on Sept 16, 2004 14:37:02 GMT -5
Tigers ready for Big West opener
By Bob Highfill
Record Staff Writer
Published Thursday, September 16, 2004
STOCKTON -- The University of the Pacific women's volleyball team is in a better state physically and mentally than when it last played at Idaho and Utah State.
It was late in November, the weather was frigid and the Tigers had lost their previous two matches. Several players were out because of injuries or illness, and others weren't at full strength. Pacific lost both matches to finish an all-time worst seventh in the Big West Conference at 9-9. It was a trip to forget.
Now healthy and confident, the Tigers (3-2) hope their final venture to the Mountain West region will be one to remember. At least the weather will be warmer.
Pacific begins conference play at 7 p.m. today at Idaho (5-1) and at 1 p.m. Saturday at Utah State (1-4). The Vandals and Aggies are moving to the Western Athletic Conference next season, making this the Tigers' last opportunity to win in the Aggies' and Vandals' home gyms.
"The trip is a hard trip not just because of the travel, but because those teams are very good and they are very good at home," Pacific coach Jayne McHugh said. "Hopefully we can play some good volleyball."
The Tigers lost their first two matches of the season at the Santa Clara Bronco Invitational. Pacific rebounded last week at the Tempe Buttes Invitational with victories over Tulane, Arizona State and Fordham. ::: Advertisement :::
"It was a good tournament," McHugh said. "The kids executed the game plan really well and everybody who played made a difference."
Senior setter Hayley Anderson averaged 12.5 assists and 3.3 digs per game and was named most valuable player at the Tempe Buttes Invitational. She set several attackers, including sophomore Stevie Mussie, who was named to the all-tournament team, and led Pacific to a tournament-best .261 hitting percentage.
Anderson liked the team's enthusiasm.
"We had a lot of confidence and it just built as the weekend went along," Anderson said. "We had a ton of energy and we all played really well."
It will take more of the same to beat Idaho. The Vandals have five starters from last season's team that made the NCAA Tournament.
"Our kids are ready," Idaho coach Debbie Buchanan said. "They're excited for really great things this year."
Anderson played sparingly at Idaho last season and she didn't play at Utah State because of bronchitis. She feels much better now and so does the team.
"Pretty much the whole team was sick," Anderson said. "It's not an excuse, but I feel we're much better prepared this time."
Ooh, Mumsie vs Pacificgirl.
By Bob Highfill
Record Staff Writer
Published Thursday, September 16, 2004
STOCKTON -- The University of the Pacific women's volleyball team is in a better state physically and mentally than when it last played at Idaho and Utah State.
It was late in November, the weather was frigid and the Tigers had lost their previous two matches. Several players were out because of injuries or illness, and others weren't at full strength. Pacific lost both matches to finish an all-time worst seventh in the Big West Conference at 9-9. It was a trip to forget.
Now healthy and confident, the Tigers (3-2) hope their final venture to the Mountain West region will be one to remember. At least the weather will be warmer.
Pacific begins conference play at 7 p.m. today at Idaho (5-1) and at 1 p.m. Saturday at Utah State (1-4). The Vandals and Aggies are moving to the Western Athletic Conference next season, making this the Tigers' last opportunity to win in the Aggies' and Vandals' home gyms.
"The trip is a hard trip not just because of the travel, but because those teams are very good and they are very good at home," Pacific coach Jayne McHugh said. "Hopefully we can play some good volleyball."
The Tigers lost their first two matches of the season at the Santa Clara Bronco Invitational. Pacific rebounded last week at the Tempe Buttes Invitational with victories over Tulane, Arizona State and Fordham. ::: Advertisement :::
"It was a good tournament," McHugh said. "The kids executed the game plan really well and everybody who played made a difference."
Senior setter Hayley Anderson averaged 12.5 assists and 3.3 digs per game and was named most valuable player at the Tempe Buttes Invitational. She set several attackers, including sophomore Stevie Mussie, who was named to the all-tournament team, and led Pacific to a tournament-best .261 hitting percentage.
Anderson liked the team's enthusiasm.
"We had a lot of confidence and it just built as the weekend went along," Anderson said. "We had a ton of energy and we all played really well."
It will take more of the same to beat Idaho. The Vandals have five starters from last season's team that made the NCAA Tournament.
"Our kids are ready," Idaho coach Debbie Buchanan said. "They're excited for really great things this year."
Anderson played sparingly at Idaho last season and she didn't play at Utah State because of bronchitis. She feels much better now and so does the team.
"Pretty much the whole team was sick," Anderson said. "It's not an excuse, but I feel we're much better prepared this time."
Ooh, Mumsie vs Pacificgirl.