If familiarity really does breed contempt, then tonight’s
volleyball match between No. 13 UCLA and No. 1 USC should be a
contentious affair.
Most of the players on both squads have played against one
another in high school or on club teams during the summer, and the
long-term relationships that they forged have added a spark to an
already intense rivalry.
“It’s a matter of pride,” said UCLA sophomore
Heather Cullen, whose best friend and former high school teammate
is USC’s April Ross. “They’re your friends so
it’s always fun to beat them. It makes it even more of a
rivalry.”
The Bruins (12-6, 5-3) are in third place in the Pac-10, and
could cement their position as one of the nation’s premier
teams by upsetting the Trojans (15-0, 8-0) tonight. On the other
hand, a loss would likely knock the Bruins out of contention for
the conference championship entirely.
“I definitely think we have a great chance to win,”
Cullen said. “There have been a lot of upsets in the Pac-10
lately. It’s fun to play a team that is supposedly way better
than us because we have nothing to lose.”
After reaching the NCAA Regional Finals last season, the Trojans
have come out of the blocks with a vengeance in 2002.
They dropped one game in their first 10 matches before recording
back-to-back 5-game victories at Stanford and Cal earlier this
month.
USC has a powerful front line led by a pair of all-conference
outside hitters who stand 6 feet, 1 inch ““ Ross and Keao
Burdine.
The Trojans lead the Pac-10 with 17.80 kills per game, and have
a pair of elite setters, junior Toni Anderson and senior Tracy
Lindquist, who have combined to lead the nation in assists.
“USC has good athletes at every spot on the court,”
said UCLA head coach Andy Banachowski. “Certainly it would be
a huge confidence boost if we were to upset them. We have to play
up to their level to have a chance to win the match.”
The Bruins will have a full lineup against the Trojans despite a
pair of minor injuries to key personnel.
Senior Lauren Fendrick has a nagging quadricep strain that has
hindered her all season, and freshman Teryn Spragg has tendinitis
in her right elbow.
Prep teammates at Newport Harbor High School in Newport Beach,
Cullen and Ross are looking forward to the opportunity to play
against one another in such a crucial match.
“I just talked to April on Tuesday and we were joking
about the match,” said Cullen. “We both hope we are on
the front row against one another. I told her I want to rub it in
her face when we win.
“They would definitely rub it in ours.”