Monday, October 12, 1998
Bowles hits stride at UCLA
PROFILE: Freshman volleyball phenom kills opponents, makes
adjustments to college life, play
By Nick Taylor
Daily Bruin Contributor
While freshman Ashley Bowles gets used to college life and
making ‘the transition’, her outstanding play paces the Bruins. She
has scored double figures in kills in the last seven matches, never
notching fewer than nine kills in any match for UCLA this
season.
You might think 18-year-old Ashley Bowles has gained a high
level of confidence, due to her success with a top-notch program in
the Division I ranks. But, this is far from an accurate way to
describe this freshman’s attitude toward life, school and the
team.
Ashley credits her coach, teammates, and her preparation and
work ethic as reasons for her success.
Ashley’s biggest contribution to the team’s game so far has been
her high number of kills. Ashley plays down her statistics, though,
giving most of the credit to her teammates.
‘It just depends on all sorts of things. If Erika’s (Selsor)
passing is on, she can get the offense rolling. Then, if Erika can
set the outside …’ Ashley said. ‘We like to use the down-the-line
spike because most people don’t expect it.’
In last Friday’s game against USC, Bowles used her favorite shot
en route to claiming 20 kills, along with seven digs and only three
errors. When asked if she was in what many athletes refer to as
‘the zone’ she said, ‘Somewhat; I waited to get a good set, a good
putaway ball. Erika had a great setting night, so I had a lot of
chances.’
Before playing and starring in NCAA volleyball, Ashley came to
UCLA from Manhattan Beach (Mira Costa High) because she wanted to
go to a big football school. Her love for the game on the gridiron
comes from following the Bruins the last couple of years.
She expressed how important family is in her life and her
decision to becoming a Bruin.
‘I’m likely to sit with my dad and watch the games on Sundays,’
she said. She also took an unofficial trip last spring to visit
UCLA, and said, ‘I just had a great time, so I knew I wanted to
come here.’
Since UCLA is so close to home, Bowles says it has made the
transition from high school to college much easier for her.
‘I’ve already been home a couple of times, and spent time with
friends, so that has made it (the transition) easier for me,’ she
said.
But she says it is still hard getting adjusted to all of the
volleyball she must play. With double days of practices,
weightlifting, team meetings and film sessions, the difference
between high school and college volleyball was overwhelming, but
Bowles says that she has now gotten used to it.
While she intends to major in history, Bowles is taking three
other classes in an effort to get acquainted with UCLA and all it
has to offer.
With her busy athletic schedule this fall, Bowles outside
activities have been somewhat limited, but that didn’t stop her
from going through a day of sorority rush. But she decided that
pledging might be too much for her to handle on top of the numerous
other activities she has gotten herself involved with.
When on the court, Bowles’ all-around play has earned her the
starting outside hitter spot. Coming out of high school, she could
consistently set, pass, and block well, but said she loved the
hitter position most. She also utilizes a jump serve, which puts
lots of pressure on opponents and is a unique offensive weapon that
has proved useful to the Bruins this year.
Ashley developed the jump serve in her senior year of high
school, and says she loves it. But should she find that the serve
isn’t working for her, she said she is not hesitant to use the
normal floater serve instead.
While UCLA has stumbled out of the blocks this year, they have
been playing well of late, and Ashley is pleased with their
progress.
‘I’m definitely happy with our progress; we are gradually
improving in practice,’ she said. ‘It feels like we are coming
together.’
Bowles, along with outside hitter and fellow freshman Kristee
Porter, has led the Bruins in their resurgence. Her 97 digs lead
the team, along with her 2.37 digs per game average. Her 165 kills
are second on the team to Porter, and she ranks second on the team
and seventh in the Pac-10 with 4.02 kills per game. Ashley and
Kristee also are third in the Pac-10 among duos, with 8.65 kills
per game.
She is tied with Michelle Quon in service aces with 10 so far
this season. While these numbers are impressive, Bowles thinks she
can definitely improve in many areas, such as her passing and
blocking.
Her coaches, she says with a smile, have told her she needs to
bring her arms in straight when passing and blocking, instead of
swinging them to hit the ball.
Bowles, while leading by her play, says she does not feel like
the team leader on the court. She says the team definitely looks up
to the seniors, Mandi Lawson and Chaska Potter, as their leaders.
She added that she doesn’t feel afraid to speak out, though.
When asked if there is any more she could do on the volleyball
floor, she replied happily, ‘I don’t know. We will see.’
After what Bruin fans have seen so far, it’s anyone guess to
what more she has in store for UCLA volleyball in the years to
come.
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