Post by bigfan on Oct 7, 2005 9:51:33 GMT -5
USC won't overlook slumping Oregon teams
Facing two teams that are a combined 1-7 in the Pac-10, USC says it won't lose focus.
By Alex Delanian
After a big win against UCLA last week - and now set to face a pair of opponents who haven't figured out the Women of Troy in recent years - one might think USC will become complacent.
With six losses already this year, after just seven losses over the previous three seasons, the USC women's volleyball team isn't overlooking anybody.
The No. 17 Women of Troy (5-6, 1-2 Pacific-10 Conference) host the Oregon State Beavers (5-5, 1-3) Friday at 7 p.m. in their conference home opener and the Oregon Ducks (10-5, 0-4) Saturday at 5 p.m.
USC has won the last 16 meetings against Oregon State and the last 29 meetings with Oregon, but isn't about to let the past dictate how it should approach its matches this week.
"I think both Oregons give us plenty to worry about," USC coach Mick Haley said. "Oregon State always plays well when they come to USC. I don't think they've ever had a bad match, and Oregon has got a pretty shifty system that is based on a lot of showing you one thing and doing another thing, and you have to be pretty sharp."
With a large portion of the roster unaccustomed to a losing atmosphere, USC's win against UCLA may feel like the righting of the ship, but Haley knows the team still has a long way to go - and that the team realizes the work they have to put in.
"My biggest concern was that we'd either have so many injuries that we couldn't get better, or that we'd lose confidence and we'd quit improving, and neither has happened," Haley said. "We haven't worried a bit about our kids not worrying about these matches. In fact, we're all worried about these matches a great deal."
Both visiting teams are led by first-year head coaches, with Jim Moore taking the reigns at Oregon and Terry Liskevych replacing former USC captain and two-time All Pac-10 selection Nancy Somera at Oregon State.
The teams have adopted new playing styles under their new coaches, but Haley says the Women of Troy are prepared.
"I'm pretty pleased with the team," Haley said.
"I like a lot of what they're doing, and if we keep working this hard, we'll be OK."
But never satisfied.
Facing two teams that are a combined 1-7 in the Pac-10, USC says it won't lose focus.
By Alex Delanian
After a big win against UCLA last week - and now set to face a pair of opponents who haven't figured out the Women of Troy in recent years - one might think USC will become complacent.
With six losses already this year, after just seven losses over the previous three seasons, the USC women's volleyball team isn't overlooking anybody.
The No. 17 Women of Troy (5-6, 1-2 Pacific-10 Conference) host the Oregon State Beavers (5-5, 1-3) Friday at 7 p.m. in their conference home opener and the Oregon Ducks (10-5, 0-4) Saturday at 5 p.m.
USC has won the last 16 meetings against Oregon State and the last 29 meetings with Oregon, but isn't about to let the past dictate how it should approach its matches this week.
"I think both Oregons give us plenty to worry about," USC coach Mick Haley said. "Oregon State always plays well when they come to USC. I don't think they've ever had a bad match, and Oregon has got a pretty shifty system that is based on a lot of showing you one thing and doing another thing, and you have to be pretty sharp."
With a large portion of the roster unaccustomed to a losing atmosphere, USC's win against UCLA may feel like the righting of the ship, but Haley knows the team still has a long way to go - and that the team realizes the work they have to put in.
"My biggest concern was that we'd either have so many injuries that we couldn't get better, or that we'd lose confidence and we'd quit improving, and neither has happened," Haley said. "We haven't worried a bit about our kids not worrying about these matches. In fact, we're all worried about these matches a great deal."
Both visiting teams are led by first-year head coaches, with Jim Moore taking the reigns at Oregon and Terry Liskevych replacing former USC captain and two-time All Pac-10 selection Nancy Somera at Oregon State.
The teams have adopted new playing styles under their new coaches, but Haley says the Women of Troy are prepared.
"I'm pretty pleased with the team," Haley said.
"I like a lot of what they're doing, and if we keep working this hard, we'll be OK."
But never satisfied.
