Here's something interesting. This article was in today's Santa Barbara News Press. It;s mostly about Bethany Johanson, but it mentions that Mari Bell apparently had a thumb injury on the first day of practice. I wonder if it's still bothering her.
Here's the article, which you can steal from the News press web site if you disable javascript.
www.newspress.com/sports/090404patton.htmMARK PATTON: Friday the 13th brought new blood
9/4/04
By MARK PATTON
NEWS-PRESS SENIOR WRITER
The first day is always the toughest, whether you're starting boot camp or a romantic relationship.
Or workouts with UCSB's demanding women's volleyball program.
Freshman Bethany Johansen had some bad karma to overcome, as well.
"We started practice on Friday the 13th," said the 6-foot-3 middle blocker, "so there was a little drama there."
The day did prove unlucky for setter Mari Bell, who injured a thumb, but the preseason showed nothing but promise for Johansen and fellow rookie Ashley Dutro.
"Those two freshmen will definitely play," said Kathy Gregory on the eve of her 30th coaching season at UCSB. "Last year, I wasn't sure which freshmen would be playing."
The freshman duo made an impact in their debut Friday morning at the San Diego State Invitational by helping the Gauchos beat Wichita State, 30-15, 30-25, 29-31, 30-26.
Gregory has never shied away from a frosh approach.
Megan Blackshire won the Big West Conference Freshman of the Year award in 2002, and Olivia Waldowski gained the same honor last year. Gregory says Johansen could make it a three-peat for Gaucho middles.
"She's a great blocker, and will have to contribute right at the beginning and play," she said. "I'm already counting on that."
Johansen doesn't like to think about awards or even what impact she might have at UCSB this fall. Friday the 13th may have passed, but she still was thinking, "I don't want to jinx myself that way."
"It's just really fun to work with the team, and I'm learning an awful lot from all the players," she added. "I just hope I can get stronger through all that."
Johansen was good enough to lead San Jose's Archbishop Mitty High to a state championship last year. But Blackshire, now an NCAA All-West Region player, can appreciate Johansen's low-key approach.
"It was really hard for me," she recalled. "When I got in here, I was playing with some really great players. I'd look up, and there would be Brooke Niles and Danielle Bauer. There was an amazing cast around me.
"I'd be like, 'Just don't mess up.' It is intimidating at first."
But the five freshmen -- who also include 6-3 middle Brett Quirarte, 5-8 libero Kaycee Matthess and 6-2 middle Jamie Darley -- have fit in well, according to Gregory.
"This freshman class, I must say, is easier to coach than last year's," she said. "They're just a little more experienced. I don't know what it is, but they are just more mature."
So mature, in fact, that the freshman Dutro is sharing setting duties with the senior Bell. She, like Johansen, led her high school (St. Francis of Mountain View) to a state championship.
"Ashley is going to be one of those players fans really enjoy watching," said Gregory. "She's so acrobatic with her moves and her body positions. I think she'll make an impact as a freshman, and be a difference-maker in future seasons."
But then, it's starting to look like the future is now.
? Hmmmmmmmmmm 
