By Andrew Borders
Daily Bruin Reporter
One year ago, the now-No. 7 UCLA women’s volleyball team
participated in the Hawaiian Airlines Classic at the University of
Hawai’i and cruised all the way to the final match against
the host Wahine, only to be swept by a team that would reach the
NCAA Final Four.
"Our match against Hawa’i is always a big one." Andy
Banachowski Bruin head coach
Although the situation will be very familiar this time around,
the team will be hoping for a different conclusion, as the Bruins
will open their season at the same Hawaiian Airlines Classic this
weekend. Once again, the Bruins will have to topple unranked teams
from the strong Big 10 and Big 12 Conferences on their way to a
rematch with the No. 5 Wahine.
Play will open for the Bruins against Michigan on Friday and
continue on Saturday with Kansas State, both at 8 p.m. PST. The
rematch against Wahine takes place on Sunday at 10 p.m. PST.
“Our match against Hawai’i is always a big
one,” UCLA head coach Andy Banachowski said.
He downplayed the difference between Wahine and the schools from
the midwestern conferences, the latter not known for volleyball
prowess.
“I don’t know that it will be that great a
difference,” Banachowski said. “If there is a big
difference, I will be very surprised. They’ve been rapidly
growing programs.”
Senior setter Erika Selsor agreed.
“I definitely think that Michigan and Kansas State are
formidable opponents,” she said.
It’s unlikely that UCLA will have any incoming freshmen as
starters, as the team will use junior Angela Eckmier, out last
season with at torn knee ligament, at middle blocker. She will be
given the task of replacing Olympic training camp invitee Elisabeth
Bachman at that position. Sophomore Stacey Lee will start at the
defensive specialist’s spot in place of Michelle Quon, who
had started UCLA’s last 120 matches at that position.