Post by rubyredslippers on Aug 30, 2004 12:03:20 GMT -5
W. volleyball: Volleyball has high hopes with core group returning
After last season’s close call with USC, Bruins hope to compete with nation’s elite
daily bruin file photoBy Colin Yuhl
DAILY BRUIN SENIOR STAFF
cyuhl@media.ucla.edu
Locked in a heated struggle with its crosstown rival, UCLA seemed poised to pull off what could have been one of the greatest upset victories in school history.
The Trojans, by far the most dominant women's volleyball program of the last two years, were suddenly vulnerable in their 2003 NCAA Regional Final matchup. But then-freshman Colby Lyman went down with an injury, and USC recovered their championship form en route to winning their second consecutive title.
Now instead of wondering what might have been, the No. 3 Bruins are looking forward to what should be a dominant season and, perhaps, their best shot at surpassing USC as the team to beat in the Pac-10.
"We finished so strong last year, and we've maintained that enthusiasm and that momentum," coach Andy Banachowski said. "We've got big hopes and big expectations this year that we'll be able to play even better volleyball than we did last year. We've got a lot more maturity and I think we'll really improve as the season goes on."
UCLA returns every starter from the team that went toe-to-toe against the Trojans with the exception of Cira Wright, who was lost to graduation. But the core of the team's offense and defense lies intact. Five seniors will carry the lion's share of UCLA's season: outside hitters Brynn Murphy, Brittany Ringel and Heather Cullen as well as setter Krystal McFarland and libero Chrissie Zartman.
Murphy, the Bruin's leading attacker from last year, will likely combine up front with Ringel and Lyman, at least for the early portion of the season as Cullen is still experiencing some lingering pain after having offseason knee surgery. McFarland is the unquestioned starter at the setter position, and Zartman is, as she has been since the beginning of her career, one of the best if not the best libero in the nation. Junior Nancy Barba and sophomore transfer Nana Meriwether will battle it out to determine who will replace Wright at middle blocker.
Though the strength of the team is based around the nucleus of senior leadership, UCLA's young talent may be what propels the Bruins into the upper echelon of elite teams. Sophomores Lyman, Becky Green and Katie Carter all figure to see significant playing time while Rachell Johnson, who redshirted last season, gives UCLA a young, athletic option at outside hitter.
If they can stay healthy all season, the Bruins certainly figure to live up to their lofty preseason ranking. In addition to Cullen's knee, Lyman missed most of spring practice with a stress fracture and Green has experienced pain in her thumb in recent practices.
"We haven't been at full strength at practices, yet they've been very intense and very strong," Banachowski said. "We're better in the practice gym and that's going to translate into better performances on the court."
The season begins Wednesday at Cal State Northridge, and UCLA will have to play well amidst a hostile Matador crowd. That match should provide a springboard from which the Bruins can jumpstart what could be an extremely promising year.
"We have a lot of expectations within ourselves, not only from what happened last year but also just based on the team we have now," McFarland said.
"It was a smart scheduling move by (Banachowski), it really is. It's a good game to get the jitters out of the way, so by the time we go to Texas we'll be a little more relaxed," said Murphy on the season opener.
After playing Cal State Northridge, the Bruins will travel to College Station, Texas, to participate in the McDonald's/Texas A&M Invitational.
From Texas, the team will travel to Honolulu to play in the Aston Imua Challenge. UCLA's first home match is Sept. 24 against Washington.
The NCAA has implemented a new rule allowing a libero to serve. Zartman, considered one of the best beach volleyball players in the country, could be a new and unexpected weapon in the Bruin's arsenal. Still, despite the fact that it will probably help UCLA, Banachowski has never been in favor of such a rule.
"I think the libero position has enough special characteristics of its own. (The rule change) isn't necessary," he said.
After last season’s close call with USC, Bruins hope to compete with nation’s elite
daily bruin file photoBy Colin Yuhl
DAILY BRUIN SENIOR STAFF
cyuhl@media.ucla.edu
Locked in a heated struggle with its crosstown rival, UCLA seemed poised to pull off what could have been one of the greatest upset victories in school history.
The Trojans, by far the most dominant women's volleyball program of the last two years, were suddenly vulnerable in their 2003 NCAA Regional Final matchup. But then-freshman Colby Lyman went down with an injury, and USC recovered their championship form en route to winning their second consecutive title.
Now instead of wondering what might have been, the No. 3 Bruins are looking forward to what should be a dominant season and, perhaps, their best shot at surpassing USC as the team to beat in the Pac-10.
"We finished so strong last year, and we've maintained that enthusiasm and that momentum," coach Andy Banachowski said. "We've got big hopes and big expectations this year that we'll be able to play even better volleyball than we did last year. We've got a lot more maturity and I think we'll really improve as the season goes on."
UCLA returns every starter from the team that went toe-to-toe against the Trojans with the exception of Cira Wright, who was lost to graduation. But the core of the team's offense and defense lies intact. Five seniors will carry the lion's share of UCLA's season: outside hitters Brynn Murphy, Brittany Ringel and Heather Cullen as well as setter Krystal McFarland and libero Chrissie Zartman.
Murphy, the Bruin's leading attacker from last year, will likely combine up front with Ringel and Lyman, at least for the early portion of the season as Cullen is still experiencing some lingering pain after having offseason knee surgery. McFarland is the unquestioned starter at the setter position, and Zartman is, as she has been since the beginning of her career, one of the best if not the best libero in the nation. Junior Nancy Barba and sophomore transfer Nana Meriwether will battle it out to determine who will replace Wright at middle blocker.
Though the strength of the team is based around the nucleus of senior leadership, UCLA's young talent may be what propels the Bruins into the upper echelon of elite teams. Sophomores Lyman, Becky Green and Katie Carter all figure to see significant playing time while Rachell Johnson, who redshirted last season, gives UCLA a young, athletic option at outside hitter.
If they can stay healthy all season, the Bruins certainly figure to live up to their lofty preseason ranking. In addition to Cullen's knee, Lyman missed most of spring practice with a stress fracture and Green has experienced pain in her thumb in recent practices.
"We haven't been at full strength at practices, yet they've been very intense and very strong," Banachowski said. "We're better in the practice gym and that's going to translate into better performances on the court."
The season begins Wednesday at Cal State Northridge, and UCLA will have to play well amidst a hostile Matador crowd. That match should provide a springboard from which the Bruins can jumpstart what could be an extremely promising year.
"We have a lot of expectations within ourselves, not only from what happened last year but also just based on the team we have now," McFarland said.
"It was a smart scheduling move by (Banachowski), it really is. It's a good game to get the jitters out of the way, so by the time we go to Texas we'll be a little more relaxed," said Murphy on the season opener.
After playing Cal State Northridge, the Bruins will travel to College Station, Texas, to participate in the McDonald's/Texas A&M Invitational.
From Texas, the team will travel to Honolulu to play in the Aston Imua Challenge. UCLA's first home match is Sept. 24 against Washington.
The NCAA has implemented a new rule allowing a libero to serve. Zartman, considered one of the best beach volleyball players in the country, could be a new and unexpected weapon in the Bruin's arsenal. Still, despite the fact that it will probably help UCLA, Banachowski has never been in favor of such a rule.
"I think the libero position has enough special characteristics of its own. (The rule change) isn't necessary," he said.
