One look at the UCLA women’s volleyball team, and you
might be taken aback. Gone are four-year starters Erika Selsor,
Ashley Bowles, and Kristee Porter, and youth seems to be infused at
each position. There’s even a new position altogether.
Needless to say, this isn’t the same team that has come
within one game of reaching the NCAA Final Four in each of the past
three seasons.
With the loss of all that senior talent, one would think that
this is a rebuilding year for the usually perennially powerful
Bruins, but don’t tell them that.
“Our main task is replacing that experience out on the
court,” head coach Andy Banachowski said. “When you
lose players of that skill and ability, there’s going to be a
transition period. But we still have the same goals and dreams (as
any other year.)”
This year won’t be any easier for the Bruins. The Sept. 9
USA Today/AVCA Coaches Top 25 poll featured five Pac-10 teams,
including Stanford at No. 1 and USC at No. 2.
“Stanford will always have a good team, and Arizona and
USC are both looking good this year, too,” senior outside
hitter Lauren Fendrick said. “The Pac-10 will be exciting and
competitive, but that’s nothing different. The Pac-10 has
always been among the most competitive women’s volleyball
conferences.”
Fendrick should know. She will be a key component of
UCLA’s attack, and she will be the only four-year starter on
the team. She led last year’s team with 398 kills and has
performed well in the preseason.
Sophomores Heather Cullen and Brittany Ringel are experienced
youngsters, having seen a lot of court time last season. Cullen in
particular moved into the starting lineup for the latter half of
last season and averaged 1.47 kills a game.
Also look for senior Lauren Hogan to make a comeback attempt
from the shoulder problems that plagued her much of last year.
In her four years, setter Erika Selsor rewrote Pac-10 and UCLA
record books, and she has steadfastly held the setter position for
the past four years. This year, UCLA will rotate between sophomore
Krystal McFarland and freshman Haley Jorgensborg. As of Sept. 8,
McFarland was averaging 8.0 assists per game while Jorgensborg was
setting at a 5.7 assist per game pace.
“The setter position will be so important this
year,” Banachowski said. “It’ll be difficult
after Erika’s departure, but we do need consistent play from
that spot to be successful.”
Middle blocker will have its entire unit returning. Senior
Angela Eckmier leads the way, averaging 1.3 blocks a game last
year. Right behind her is sophomore Brynn Murphy, who earned Pac-10
All-Freshman honors last year. She was second on the team with 59
total blocks. Junior Cira Wright has been outstanding the
preseason, culminating with tournament MVP honors from the Nike
Portland Invitational.
The new position in women’s volleyball is the libero, and
Banachowski believes that sophomore Chrissie Zartman is primed for
the position. Last year, Zartman was second on the team with 270
total digs.
“Chrissie is a truly outstanding defensive player and a
tremendous passer, too,” Banachowski said. “She is
going to allow us to do a lot of different things with our passing
formations.
The Bruins have played four tournaments in preparation for the
Pac-10 season, venturing from Hawaii to Minnesota to Portland.
Although the team began 3-3, the Bruins finished preseason play by
winning the Nike Portland Invitational to push their record to 7-3.
Murphy, Zartman and Wright all won All-Tournament honors.
“We started a little slow, but we’re young and
developing a team chemistry,” Fendrick said.
“We’re working on new plays and finding new lineups.
Once we get used to that, then we can anticipate each other’s
actions and start beating some good teams.”
The talent is there, though not in the same form as the previous
three seasons. But the Bruins believe that they can use it to their
advantage.
“I know teams will be looking at us as an easy win, and
that’s extra motivation for us,” Fendrick said.
“It’s real different from past years, but it means that
we can go out there with nothing to lose now. We’re going to
be good.”