Wednesday, October 29, 1997
Bruins kill Dinos in exhibition tournament
BRIEFS: UCLA’s Evan Thatcher notches 25 kills over weekend
By Jennifer Kollenborn
Daily Bruin Staff
Once again, UCLA head coach Al Scates, the winningest coach in
volleyball history, guided the Bruins to the top when UCLA captured
first place in its first exhibition tournament of the ’97-’98
season at the Dino Cup University Tournament.
UCLA won the 11th annual Dino Cup last weekend in Calgary,
Canada after defeating the Calgary Dinosaurs 3-2 (10-15, 15-12,
15-8, 6-11, 11-8) on Saturday at the Jack Simpson Gymnasium.
Both games three and four went to 11 points before the teams
proceeded with rally-point scoring, due to time constraints of the
local television coverage.
UCLA sophomore outside-hitter Evan Thatcher surpassed all
players on the court, notching 25 kills.
After the Bruins lost game one against the Dinos, UCLA turned
the tide in game two, which boosted the Bruins’ confidence and led
to UCLA’s triumph.
"I like what I see," UCLA senior captain Tom Stillwell said, who
led UCLA’s defense with 13 digs. "For us to come back in the
pre-season like that … it’s very easy to give up, throw up your
hands and say, ‘OK, game’s over.’ But that’s mid-season attitude.
We have high expectations."
Out of all the teams, including Calgary and UC Santa Barbara,
UCLA earned the MVP acclaim. Six-foot-five-inch sophomore setter
Brandon Taliaferro was named the tournament’s MVP.
In addition, Stillwell made the tournament’s all-star team along
with Calgary’s Bill Byma, Warren Henschel and Curtis Andreotti.
Also included on the all-star team were Jeremy Darner and Mitchell
McCoy of UC Santa Barbara.
Next Friday UCLA entertains Long Beach State University in a
preseason match at 5:00 p.m. in the Wooden Center. The game will be
the only time to see the Bruins before Jan. 17, 1998, when the
Bruins will play in their annual alumni match. After Nov. 7, UCLA
travels to Seoul, Korea, to play seven different teams in a
schedule arranged by the head coach of Hanyang University. The
Bruins will next fly to Vancouver, British Columbia, to play five
schools; and then to Honolulu, Hawaii, to play in the Hawaii
tournament.
GENEVIEVE LIANG/Daily Bruin
Danny Farmer, shown here against Lewis University last year, and
the Bruins captured the cup in their first exhibition
tournament.