WCC: 2004 Forecast

[Deleted]

BearClause said:

I've been following Santa Clara volleyball fairly closely over the years. They are losing quite a lot. Their primary offensive weapon (Becky Potter) is gone, as is one of the most under-rated setters in the country (Kelli Sousa).

I've heard good things about their incoming freshman setter Crystal Mattich. However - it remains to be seen if any "go to" offensive player will emerge. Cassie Perret was decent, but I'm curious as to how well she has recovered from her ACL tear. They might end up playing several freshmen a lot.

SCU lost three All-WCC players (MB Becky Potter, MB Becky Biniek and S Kelli Sousa) but return two All-WCC players (OH Toni Muratore and OH/RS Cassie Perret, both Juniors to be). Their incoming Freshman class was rated 9th nationally by PrepVB--ahead of any other WCC schools, as well as Stanford. Incoming MB Anna Cmaylo, S Crystal Matich and MB Annalisa Muratore were all in PrepVB's top 100, and DS/L Caroline Walters wasn't far behind. Matich is regarded as one of the top 5 incoming setters, and has all the skills to become the starting setter. A. Muratore will likely step into a starting MB role; Soph Nora Miller and Frosh Cmaylo will probably compete for the other MB position. Frosh Walters and Juniors Lexie Bothman and Kristen Luxton should see a lot of playing time in the back row.

Two-year AA Becky Potter definitely was the go-to person last year and will be missed. Whether Jac Heler will be sufficiently recovered from her broken leg to play RS is not yet known. As mentioned above, she played back row only this spring. OH Alyssa Lantz, who was All-WCC as a freshman, and went down with a torn ACL last season, probably will not be cleared to play before mid-season at the earliest. Junior Kim McGiven and Soph Megan Pura will see a lot of action at OH. It will be interesting to see the chemistry develop as Matich takes over the reins and to see if more than one go-to player emerges. With no seniors, the Broncos are a young team; they certainly have the talent to be in the top two in the WCC this year and should be even better the year after.

Pepperdine returns three All-WCC players, but the loss of Wilkins is huge. Nonetheless, they are the clear favorites, returning such stalwarts as S Melissa Melhorn, MB Sophia Milo and OH Katy Daly. San Diego returns five All-WCC'ers, led by OH Devon Forster and S Lindsey Sherburne, and picked up an excellent transfer from Washington State who will likely start, so they will be very competitive. I think LMU graduated two of last years' starters (Kimball and Newsome) and return two All-WCC players, so they have enought firepower to stay in the top half of the conference.

[Netter]

My sleeper team for 2004 is St. Mary's. I think they have steadily improved, like the coach and feel they will finish above Portland. If USF has a season anywhere close to last year, then Coach Nelson has to be Coach of the Year, but they lost a lot. Love Santa Clara's freshman class, but then again, they are freshman. Did SC's RS recover from last year? Do not know how LMU's one recruit has progressed from injuries, but I think they'll be even better next year. A Pepperdine match is always worth seeing, because of Katy Daly, one of my favorites. And USD got some good recruits, and if the improvement of Sherburne continues, then they should be battling Pepperdine for the top spot. If only Gonzaga could get as competitive as they are historically in men's basketball and soccer, this conference would be a dog fight throughout.

[Chicksdigit]

Spoke to Jac last week regarding her recovery. She stated she is jumping. The doctor was impressed with how well she is doing in rehab. This kid is the real deal. If anyone can come back from a tough injury like this, she can.
If Santa Clara can get her back into her game, and with the addition of the freshmen, this team will be a tough contender.

[BearClause]

I've noticed Megan Johnston isn't on the roster, and seems to have graduated in 3 years. She had a lot of front-row play her first two years, but it looks like she didn't play at all last season due to injury. She was one of several walking wounded on the SCU bench last season. I met her mother (at least someone who identified herself as such) at match last season.

santaclarabroncos.collegesports.com/genrel/061404aab.html

[rayb_14]

has a WCC team ever made it to a Final Four?

[IdahoBoy]

RayB14 said:

has a WCC team ever made it to a Final Four?

Nope.

[buster]

In the traditionally "low rent" district, I did get to see Gonzaga play some this spring. They were able to beat most of the better NW teams (Wazzu, Idaho and Eastern) in spring tourneys, and played much better team ball than I had seen in the past. No real stand-outs (C. Davis on outside brings a load, and setter Gihring is solid), but play well together.

A few things for 04: the legendary "Kennel" on GU campus that helped vault the Mens BB team to national prominence--will become a "VB Only" gym (new--and beautiful "Kennel" almost completed next door). Maybe some mojo will wear off? Also, looks like 2-3 of the incoming kids will contribute right away.

Maybe they can pull a San Fran and suprise some folks. Would not expect them in top half, but may suprise a few this year.

[Deleted]

The WCC coaches have been polled and....

Pepperdine first; Santa Clara and LMU tied for second; San Diego fourth. Somewhat oddly, Pepperdine received five first place votes, Santa Clara two and San Diego one. The complete story is at

www.wccsports.com/handler.cfm/article,dsp_article/abs_cat_id,26434/art_id,441602

[IdahoBoy]

2004 WCC Volleyball Preseason Poll
1. Pepperdine (5) 60
T2. Santa Clara (2) 50
T2. Loyola Marymount 50
4. San Diego (1) 46
5. Saint Mary’s 32
6. San Francisco 22
7. Portland 17
8. Gonzaga 11
(first place votes)


San Diego with a first place vote!! Wow. Coach, isn't that obvious your voting for yourself? (JK)

I can actually see where they could get a 1st place vote.

[Xplaya]

Interesting INCORRECT quote by CSTV from their release: "Yesterday the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) picked Pepperdine as the second best preseason team in the Pacific Region behind two-time defending national champion USC."
When the AVCA CLEARLY stated: "The following NCAA Division I teams (listed by region, then 2003 RPI region ranking, others receiving NCAA Tournament bids, then all others in the region) have submitted preseason information to the AVCA for inclusion in the 2004 AVCA Division I Preseason Preview. The 2003 RPI region ranking takes the top 10 from each region within the final 2003 NCAA Division I RPI and forms a regional ranking from last year (DOES NOT represent a 2004 preseason regional ranking). Some people just don't pay attention.

[Netter]

Netter said:

My sleeper team for 2004 is St. Mary's. I think they have steadily improved, like the coach and feel they will finish above Portland. If USF has a season anywhere close to last year, then Coach Nelson has to be Coach of the Year, but they lost a lot. Love Santa Clara's freshman class, but then again, they are freshman. Did SC's RS recover from last year? Do not know how LMU's one recruit has progressed from injuries, but I think they'll be even better next year. A Pepperdine match is always worth seeing, because of Katy Daly, one of my favorites. And USD got some good recruits, and if the improvement of Sherburne continues, then they should be battling Pepperdine for the top spot. If only Gonzaga could get as competitive as they are historically in men's basketball and soccer, this conference would be a dog fight throughout.

I guess my "sleeper" team (St. Mary's) that was running under the radar at the beginning of the season can no longer be termed that. I hope their rise in status isn't merely because Stanford might not be made up of "morning people".