Monday, December 2, 1996
VOLLEYBALL:
For the first time, UCLA’s record makes it ineligible for NCAA
postseason playBy Grace Wen
Daily Bruin Senior Staff
The NCAA announced selections for its 1996 postseason tournament
on Sunday afternoon. For the first time in the program’s history,
the UCLA women’s volleyball team failed to qualify for the
tournament.
"It was expected, on my part," UCLA head coach Andy Banachowski
said. "I think our loss to Pepperdine took us out of consideration.
The only way we could have salvaged it was with a win over Long
Beach State and we were close."
Playoff hopes had seemed brighter for UCLA after a sweep over
the Oregon schools last weekend. But losses to Pepperdine and Long
Beach State on Tuesday and Friday nights effectively eliminated
UCLA from receiving an NCAA berth.
The NCAA gives 18 conferences automatic bids while 12
conferences compete for six play-in berths. The remaining 24 spots
are filled by at-large berths decided by win-loss record, strength
of schedule, head-to-head outcomes, results against common
opponents, results against ranked opponents and late-season
performance.
The Pacific 10 conference, considered one of the best
conferences in the nation for women’s volleyball, usually receives
five berths into the tournament. This year Stanford got the
automatic bid while Washington, Washington State, USC and Arizona
received at-large berths.
UCLA, normally a recipient of at least an at-large berth, had
its worst season ever. The Bruins finished with a 17-14 record, the
most losses ever by a Bruin squad. It is also the first time UCLA
posted less than 20 wins during the season.
"I don’t think we’ve ever had more losses in combination with as
few wins," Banachowski said.
Against ranked opponents, UCLA was 2-13 with losses against
Louisville, Hawaii, Florida, Washington, Washington State,
Stanford, USC, Arizona and Long Beach State.
The Bruins’ late-season performance, which should have improved
after the return of several players from injury, instead stagnated.
UCLA lost 11 out of its final 16 matches.
Not earning a bid to the tournament gives a disappointing end to
a disappointing season for the Bruins.
UCLA Sports Info
Women’s volleyball head coach Andy Banachowski