UC Irvine

[gouci]

KELLY NEGRON, UC IRVINE

WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK 9/9/19

S • Mission Viejo, Calif. • Trabuco Hills HS

• Leading her UC Irvine squad to its first victory, Kelly Negron garnered her first career Big West Women’s Volleyball Freshman of the Week honor.

• The 5-foot-7 setter had a solid performance at the UCI/Adidas Invitational. She averaged 8.73 assists and 2.91 digs over 11 sets.

• In the four-set victory over UNLV, Negron posted 32 assists and a career-high 17 digs for her second double-double of the season.

• She had a season-high 43 assists in a four-set setback to North Carolina.

• Negron posted 21 assists and seven digs in a loss to California. She totaled one block assists in all three contests.

Others nominated: Julia Crawford (Cal State Fullerton); Lauryn Anderson (CSUN); Shira Lahav (UC Davis); Isabella Scarlett (UC Riverside); Romoni Vivao (UC Santa Barbara); Hanna Hellvig (Hawai‘i)

[gouci]

Versus Loyola Chicago halfway thru the 2nd set UC Irvine redshirt freshman OH Destynie Villamu came in and added a little swagger. Villamu slammed down 2 kills with authority.

Now Villamu who was making her long awaited debut after taking an injury redshirt last season seemed to injure her ankle and had to be helped off the court after playing only half a set.

Later Villamu came out on crutches. Unbelievable bad luck. Hopefully she returns to the court sooner than later.

[gouci]

Reflections Of Strength: Appreciate The Little Things By Cassie Stewart

October 01, 2019

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and women's volleyball player Cassie Stewart knows first-hand how powerful this disease is. The junior, who has emerged as a team leader this season, shares a personal look at how breast cancer has affected her family.

Breast cancer has been a huge part of my life over the past couple of years.

Four years ago, I lost my grandmother to breast cancer. The months following her passing were very difficult for my family because we couldn't believe that this really happened to us. Losing my grandma was extremely hard on my mom because she lost not only her mother, but her best friend and life coach. My grandmother was the light in my life and the person I looked up to and admired the most.

A year after my grandmothers passing, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and needed to immediately have a double mastectomy. Because of infections and other complications, my mom had to go through eight surgeries that year. Along with my mom, both of my aunts also had to have double mastectomies.

My mom and grandmother have been such an inspiration to me. They taught me about strength and how important it is to appreciate the little things in life. Many people don't really understand how important it is to recognize the small and beautiful things in life we tend to take for granted.

We live in a world where cancer has negatively impacted so many people's lives, and it has helped me to stop focusing on the negative things in life.

Many people tend to forget that it's not just the people with the cancer who are affected, but their husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, cousins, friends, and co-workers who all feel the pain of losing people to this disease.

Anyone who has experience this struggle or felt the pain of cancer, it is important to know you are not alone, and that it is important to rely on the people around you to help you and your family through it.

[ilikecorn]

[gouci]

Big congrats to Coach Hain who has a history of getting UCI to pull off big upsets.

In her first season UCI upset ranked san Diego.

In her second season UCI upset #7 Usc at the Galen Center.

In her third season UCI upset Cal at Berkeley.

Now add upsetting #11 Hawaii at stan sheriff.

[gouci]

This is what it feels like to learn your best player is injured and your post season aspirations are DONE!

[gouci]

In 2017-18 it was UCI's three time Big West 1st Teamer sr. Harlee Kekauoha that got injured.

UCI had set itself up as a bubble team by beating Ncaa tournament teams like st. Mary's and Pepperdine.

On top of a bunch of other injuries, Kekauoha knocked out was the final nail in the coffin for UCI's Ncaa tourney at-large aspirations.



In 2018-19 it was UCI's Big West 1st Teamer Jr. Loryn Carter that got hurt.

UCI had just upset #11 Hawaii and was fighting for the Big West NIVC automatic bid.

To make matters worse the scholarship OH backup Destynie Villamu also got injured earlier in the season.



In back to back year's UCI's best player, the one they couldn't afford to lose the most, got hurt derailing the rest of the frickin season. UCI seems to be cursed with injuries.

[gouci]

Onye Ofoegbu Named To Big West All-Freshman Team

November 26, 2019

IRVINE, Calif. – Middle blocker Onye Ofoegbu was named to the Big West Conference All-Freshman team as voted on by the league coaches.

Ofoegbu led the Anteaters with a 0.76 blocking average and was third on the team in kill average with a 2.14 mark.

The freshman logged at least one block in all but two matches this season with a career-high six block assists against Cal Poly (9/28) and UC Riverside (11/15). She had eight matches with double-digit kills, including a career-best 17 versus Cal State Fullerton (10/12).

Ofoegbu becomes the 23rd Anteater to be named to the All-Freshman team.

[gouci]

Q&A with Chloe Owens

February 06, 2020

UC Irvine women's volleyball closed out the 2019 season back in November. After her first year of competing in an Anteater jersey, junior transfer Chloe Owens took some time to share her story and how she acclimated herself. The libero was ranked seventh overall in digs per set (3.00) among the Big West. She credits her work ethic and success to head coach Ashlie Hain and her teammates.

Q: How and when did you get introduced to volleyball? What made you continue playing?
A: My older sister, Cierra, first introduced me to volleyball at 7 years old. Watching her play made me want to compete and be as good as she was.

Q: What piece of advice would you give someone who is interested in playing volleyball but does not know where to start?
A: For anyone who is interested in playing volleyball I would advise them to just get out there and go for it. The volleyball community in itself is very welcoming and always ready to bring in a new member, so wherever they're from I'm sure there is a volleyball home waiting for them with open arms.

Q: As a libero, what are the responsibilities of this position?
A: As a libero, I am responsible for putting our team in system as often as possible and maintaining a strong, gritty defense.

Q: Explain your pre-game routine to prepare for an upcoming match.
A: To prepare for upcoming matches we typically start scouting our opponents about a week or so in advance of competition. The day of our match we make it a point to get into the locker room early so we can eat together, go over our notes/strategies, and have a little dance party to get the nerves out.

Q: What do you enjoy most about volleyball? Can you recall your favorite moment with the sport?
A: I enjoy the rush of adrenaline after a crazy play is terminated by one of my teammates. My favorite moment thus far was feeling the momentum shift in the third set at the Stan Sheriff Center in Hawaii. We were down 0-2, then we came out for the third set with a new mindset and never looked back. It was insane.

Q: How do you deal with high-pressure situations to be able to perform composed and steady?
A: I think one of the best parts of playing indoor volleyball is having your girls right next to you. Without my teammates I don't think I would be able to stay poised in such high-pressure situations. Whenever I feel nervous I just look beside me and immediately feel settled and composed, and ready to get after it.

Q: What is a big take away you have been able to learn from Coach Ashlie Hain?
A: Coach Ashlie Hain is unlike any other coach I've ever had. She is truly a work-horse and shows us day in and day out what true commitment looks like. Her work ethic is contagious and it is something I'll always be able to look back on and use when I'm a real adult facing life's adversities.

Q: What do you like the most about this team?
A: I love our team's dynamic. There are so many different personalities and somehow they complement each other in the best way possible. We are a combination of the nicest, fiercest, most competitive girls I know.

Q: Is there anyone on the team you have grown close to? How have they helped you integrate yourself into the program as a transfer student?
A: Shout out to Destynie Villiamu. She played a big role in helping me acclimate to the UCI life. Our little freshmen, Onye and Joy, also helped my transition immensely. We all basically spent our summer here before Fall 2019 just trying to become familiar with the campus and our facilities.

Q: Why did you choose psychological science as your major?
A: Psychology has played a huge role in helping me understand myself, my relationship with volleyball, and even our team dynamic. I chose Psychological Science because I want to go into Sports Psychology once I'm done with volleyball and help treat athletes that are transitioning from being an athlete to being a regular person.

Q: How do you spend your time in the off-season?
A: I approach the off-season the same way I do our winter and spring quarters. I lift 4-5 times a week and play either indoor or beach volleyball as often as I can.

Q: What are some goals you want to set for yourself for next season?
A: Next season I want to improve in every stat column. More importantly, I want to do a better job of leading our team and holding us to gold-medal standard at all times.

[Deleted]

Feb 11, 2020 3:40:04 GMT -5 gouci said:

Q&A with Chloe Owens

February 06, 2020

UC Irvine women's volleyball closed out the 2019 season back in November. After her first year of competing in an Anteater jersey, junior transfer Chloe Owens took some time to share her story and how she acclimated herself. The libero was ranked seventh overall in digs per set (3.00) among the Big West. She credits her work ethic and success to head coach Ashlie Hain and her teammates.

Q: How and when did you get introduced to volleyball? What made you continue playing?
A: My older sister, Cierra, first introduced me to volleyball at 7 years old. Watching her play made me want to compete and be as good as she was.

Q: What piece of advice would you give someone who is interested in playing volleyball but does not know where to start?
A: For anyone who is interested in playing volleyball I would advise them to just get out there and go for it. The volleyball community in itself is very welcoming and always ready to bring in a new member, so wherever they're from I'm sure there is a volleyball home waiting for them with open arms.

Q: As a libero, what are the responsibilities of this position?
A: As a libero, I am responsible for putting our team in system as often as possible and maintaining a strong, gritty defense.

Q: Explain your pre-game routine to prepare for an upcoming match.
A: To prepare for upcoming matches we typically start scouting our opponents about a week or so in advance of competition. The day of our match we make it a point to get into the locker room early so we can eat together, go over our notes/strategies, and have a little dance party to get the nerves out.

Q: What do you enjoy most about volleyball? Can you recall your favorite moment with the sport?
A: I enjoy the rush of adrenaline after a crazy play is terminated by one of my teammates. My favorite moment thus far was feeling the momentum shift in the third set at the Stan Sheriff Center in Hawaii. We were down 0-2, then we came out for the third set with a new mindset and never looked back. It was insane.

Q: How do you deal with high-pressure situations to be able to perform composed and steady?
A: I think one of the best parts of playing indoor volleyball is having your girls right next to you. Without my teammates I don't think I would be able to stay poised in such high-pressure situations. Whenever I feel nervous I just look beside me and immediately feel settled and composed, and ready to get after it.

Q: What is a big take away you have been able to learn from Coach Ashlie Hain?
A: Coach Ashlie Hain is unlike any other coach I've ever had. She is truly a work-horse and shows us day in and day out what true commitment looks like. Her work ethic is contagious and it is something I'll always be able to look back on and use when I'm a real adult facing life's adversities.

Q: What do you like the most about this team?
A: I love our team's dynamic. There are so many different personalities and somehow they complement each other in the best way possible. We are a combination of the nicest, fiercest, most competitive girls I know.

Q: Is there anyone on the team you have grown close to? How have they helped you integrate yourself into the program as a transfer student?
A: Shout out to Destynie Villiamu. She played a big role in helping me acclimate to the UCI life. Our little freshmen, Onye and Joy, also helped my transition immensely. We all basically spent our summer here before Fall 2019 just trying to become familiar with the campus and our facilities.

Q: Why did you choose psychological science as your major?
A: Psychology has played a huge role in helping me understand myself, my relationship with volleyball, and even our team dynamic. I chose Psychological Science because I want to go into Sports Psychology once I'm done with volleyball and help treat athletes that are transitioning from being an athlete to being a regular person.

Q: How do you spend your time in the off-season?
A: I approach the off-season the same way I do our winter and spring quarters. I lift 4-5 times a week and play either indoor or beach volleyball as often as I can.

Q: What are some goals you want to set for yourself for next season?
A: Next season I want to improve in every stat column. More importantly, I want to do a better job of leading our team and holding us to gold-medal standard at all times.

If you get a chance, please DM me with details of the incoming class to UCI for 2020 and I'll add them to the Big West 2020 thread.

volleytalk.proboards.com/thread/80391/big-west-2020-thread

[gouci]

A powerful friendship between Kobe Bryant and Big West Conference assistant coach has a community still grieving.

Few know how important a UC Irvine assistant coach became to Bryant's ascent to basketball immortality

CBSsports.com article

(Includes this tidbit about volleyball).

"It got to the point where him being around was normal, especially with our student-athletes," Badrtalei said. "They got used to seeing him in the training room. The teams that saw him working out in the morning or night knew to give him his space. But he'd ask about women's volleyball. The coach at the time was an Olympian. She played in Italy and they'd speak Italian to each other. He'd be icing his knees next to other student-athletes. He looked like a college student: hood over his head, laying back on the table."

[gouci]

UCI is getting setter Caitlin Kikta a transfer from Rutgers.

[gouci]

Here is the release when Rutgers signed her.

Caitlin Kikta is a 5-foot-8 setter from California with championship caliber experience at the highest level. Kikta, playing for the San Diego-based Coast Volleyball Club, led her squad to a fifth place finish at the Junior Olympics U18 Open Division, which is the highest level of the competition. Kikta was honored with a selection to the All-Tournament Team for her setting efforts at the Junior Olympics.

The Encinitas, California native has never sustained more than a single loss with her team over the past eight seasons. She paced Coast to a silver medal at the Junior Olympics U15 Open Division in 2016 and a silver medal at the 2018 Junior National Qualifier. Her 2018 squad also claimed the SCVA Regional Championships title.

Entering Rutgers as a cell biology and neuroscience major, Kikta is a member of the Honors College and a recipient of the SAS Merit Scholarship.

"I chose Rutgers because it gave me the best combination of academics and high level volleyball," Kikta said. "Going to college on the East Coast was always on my mind, but I also wanted to go to a Big Ten school like my parents. Rutgers is the only school that fits the criteria."

Werneke on Kikta: "We're excited to add a setter of this caliber to our program. Caitlin has winning experience at the high school and club level, and her leadership at a young age and ability to make others better is a key aspect of her game. She's an athlete that knows how to win, and a student that upholds our standards of academic excellence."

[Wolfgang]

I remember when Abby Marjama was a freshman and she was very impressive. I thought she would get better and better and be, at the very least, All Big West 1st team. She transferred to Alabama, of all places.

[gouci]

UCI recruit for 2020-21 is 6-0 OH/Opp Marianne Bertolone.

This is what I could find online about her. She went to Woodrow Wilson High in Washington DC for 2017-18 as a sophomore. She had 375 kills and eye popping 96 aces that season. She was a nominee for Gatorade Player of the Year for Washington DC that season and help lead her team to the DC IAA title. She was named to Prepvolleyball.com 2017 Soph. 79 list.

In the 2019 USA Volleyball Girls Jr. National Championships in the 17 National Divison (2nd highest div. after Open) her club team Rage VBC 17 Rick (from Sacramento) won 3rd place and Bertolone was named to the 17 National All Tournament team.