Monday, September 28, 1998
Bruin recruiting class dives into new season
PREVIEW: Team hopes to rebound, make NCAAs after losing three
seniors
By A.J. Cadman
Daily Bruin Staff
With the abundance of volleyball talent that has graced the
floor of UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion and laid the foundation for one of
the greatest collegiate volleyball programs in the nation, this
year’s squad will have their work cut out for them.
This fall, the 1998 UCLA women’s volleyball team will take aim
at a record seventh national championship without the services of
an All-American and two Pac-10 standouts. But, with a prized
recruiting class ranked second in the nation this year, the Bruins
hope to live up to the standards of past and present toward
victory.
The 1998 Bruins were ranked No. 18 in the USA Today/Coaches poll
and No. 14 in the Volleyball Magazine preseason polls. UCLA has a
power ranking of third in the Pac-10 Conference. They finished 1997
with a 17-13 record (9-9 Pac-10, 6th place) and earned a berth into
the NCAA tournament.
This year’s squad will have to contend with the replacement of
three talented seniors from last year’s team. 1997 All-American
outside hitter Kara Milling is currently training with the U.S.
national team in Colorado. She has inscribed her name into the UCLA
record books in several categories including single-season kills
(623, third all-time) and single-season attacks (1,343, second
all-time). 1997 Pac-10 Honor-able Mention Kim Coleman excelled at
the setter position and posted 3,400 career assists while at UCLA
(third all-time).
And finally, 1997 Pac-10 Honorable Mention Tanisha Larkin
complemented Milling at outside hitter with 378 kills last season
and showcased a leaping ability unparalleled in the NCAAs.
Many players will have to step up in order to achieve the high
standard of success that head coach Andy Banachowski, returning to
UCLA for his 32nd season, expects. He has accumulated more
victories than any other women’s volleyball coach in history and
has sixth national titles to his credit. He has guided the Bruins
to 29 postseason appearances and has mentored many players to
prominence on the AVP tour and collegiate coaching ranks.
UCLA’s strongest area will be at the middle blocker position.
Led by the return of Elisabeth Bachman, who redshirted the 1997
season due to a wrist injury, her training with the national team
will prove to be a valuable experience in guiding a young Bruin
squad this season.
One of the most versatile and quickest hitters on this year’s
team, Tamika Johnson will hope to create the kind of havoc that
produced 33 solo blocks last season. Amy Nihipali, who registered
139 blocks last season (20 solo) as a true freshman, will continue
to make a name for herself as one of the nation’s most experienced
players at this position. True freshman who will be called upon to
make an impact include Angela Eckmier, a Volleyball Fab 50 honoree,
and Danielle Ryba, will add depth to the middle blocking for
UCLA.
With the losses of Milling and Larkin at outside hitter, a
talented cast of returnees will hope to quickly step into the
starting lineups for Banachowski and produce results. Chaska Potter
has the most complete and well-rounded games of anyone on the team
and will provide a leadership role for all of the incoming
freshman.
Celeste Peterson, a returning starter and Pac-10 All-Freshman
Honorable Mention, underwent knee surgery in the offseason and will
have to fight to return to her spot in the starting lineup, but
will be effective when she regains her form. Freshman Ashley Bowles
is considered by many, including her coach, as one of the most
complete players in her class.
Kristee Porter, a phenomenal athlete competing in track and
field in the spring as a dual-sport athlete, will replace the
leaping ability in the lineup taken by Larkin. Sophomore Suzy
Morris, and newcomers Taylor Rodger and Lauren Hogan will add depth
to the outside hitting position throughout the UCLA schedule this
season.
To replace Kim Coleman at setter, UCLA looks no further than
freshman Erika Selsor. A high school All-American considered the
best at the setter position last year, Selsor’s height of 5-foot-6,
a stark contrast to many past Bruin setters, will pose little or no
daunting challenge for the freshman as she hopes to have similar
success to another UCLA alumna who she mirrors: Holly McPeak.
Defense will be a key point for UCLA to concentrate on this
season. Specialist Michelle Quon, a 1997 Pac-10 honorable mention,
has the speed and quickness that UCLA needs to create plays.
Returnee Mandi Lawson, who played 41 games last season, will use
this experience to backup Quon and will be heavily relied upon for
a defensive charge.
With nine conference championships and 21 Final Four
appearances, UCLA has a career record of 829-188 and 120-23 in the
postseason. The Bruins won back-to-back national titles in 1990 and
1991.
Since 11 of UCLA’s opponents are ranked in the top 25 in the USA
Today/Coaches poll, the Bruins face the likes of America’s best,
including USC (third, USA Today), and 1998 National Champion
Stanford (fourth, USA Today). And with five out of the 10
conference teams ranked in the Top 25 in the preseason, UCLA must
come in day in and day out with their game faces on to win a
national championship.
* * *
The Bruins stumbled out of the blocks in early season action.
They opened their schedule at the Hawaiian Airlines Wahine Classic
by losing straight set matches to No. 14 Hawaii and No. 6 Florida
before losing a five-set heartbreaker to No. 13 Ohio State.
They face top-ranked Penn State and No. 9 Texas or Illinois at
the Chicago Tournament before traveling to the Bay Area for three
matches against Santa Clara, California and Stanford.
Daily Bruin file photo
Sophomore middle blocker Amy Nihipali during a game against
Stanford last year.
Daily Bruin file photo
Sophomore Michelle Quon digs the ball for the Bruins in a home
game last season.
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