By Diamond Leung
Daily Bruin Senior Staff
UCLA women’s volleyball player Kristee Porter had her
eligibility restored Wednesday by the NCAA Student-Athlete
Reinstatement Staff following a month-long investigation into her
“extra benefits” violation.
The NCAA penalized the senior All-American outside hitter 50
percent of the season and ordered her to make restitution for the
amount of the extra benefits she received. Because Porter has
already sat out half the season while the university conducted its
investigation, she is immediately eligible for competition.
The decision came one day after the Athletic Department
submitted to the NCAA an updated report that included new
information regarding the case. It was especially timely because
UCLA, ranked 11th in the nation, has completed its regular season
and will have Porter available for postseason play.
“I’m thrilled,” women’s volleyball head
coach Andy Banachowski said. “I’m very excited because
this breathes new life in our team.”
Porter was unavailable for comment, but Banachowski described
her reaction to the ruling.
“I know that she’s overjoyed,” he said.
“When I spoke with her, I don’t think it hit her right
away. She was at a loss for words. It has been so long since she
played that she felt her volleyball career may have been
over.”
UCLA declared Porter ineligible Oct. 19 after she had informed
the university that she inadvertently violated NCAA regulations by
sharing expenses with a part-time roommate. NCAA rules state that
for a benefit to be permissible, the relationship between a
student-athlete and friend must predate the student-athlete’s
status as a prospect. According to the Athletic Department, Porter
has considered the roommate as a friend since only her freshman
year. UCLA has denied any connection with an agent or a
booster.
UCLA sports information director Marc Dellins declined to
comment on the amount of extra benefits Porter received. According
to NCAA guidelines, a student-athlete who accepts extra benefits
totaling over $500 must sit out at least 30 percent of the
season.
Porter has missed 13 matches ““ exactly half of the season.
She was, however, able to practice on and off with the team during
that time.
“It will take me maybe five or 10 minutes to figure out a
way to get her back in there,” Banachowski said.
“We’ll work her back in. She’s a senior, and
she’s a crucial part of our team.”
Porter set the Pac-10 and UCLA records for career kills earlier
this season. She remains the fourth-leading attacker in the nation
this season, registering 5.81 kills per game before her
suspension.
UCLA posted an 8-5 record without Porter in action, going 0-4
against ranked teams and suffering an upset loss against Oregon
State during the span. UCLA (18-8, 12-6 Pac-10) finished its
regular season Tuesday with a win over Oregon.
Porter’s reinstatement should help UCLA’s cause next
Monday when the NCAA Women’s Volleyball Committee announces
the 64-team field for the championship tournament. According to the
NCAA, the eligibility of student-athletes is a secondary factor
that the committee will weigh. UCLA hopes to nab one of the top
seeds and host their early-round matches.
“They will have to take this into account,”
Banachowski said. “My own belief is that this will help us
out with our seed.”
Porter, who also stars on the women’s basketball and track
and field teams, is now eligible to compete for those squads as
well. Last year, she was the Pac-10’s second-leading
rebounder. She finished third in the triple jump in last
year’s Pac-10 track and field championships.
“I’m excited to hear that she’s going to get a
chance to show herself again,” women’s basketball head
coach Kathy Olivier said.
“I’m also excited for the volleyball team,”
Olivier added. “I think it will be a big boost for
them.”