In an effort to improve on last season’s NCAA Tournament
appearance, the UCLA women’s volleyball team has made
significant changes to its future roster. The Bruins have received
a verbal commitment from Brenn Larson, a former Pac-10 All-freshman
setter, who decided to transfer from Washington State after her
sophomore season. Even though she has not yet officially signed
with UCLA, the big question now is when the Bruins can expect her
to suit up and play. Based on an NCAA rule, a player must sit out a
minimum of one season when transferring within the same conference.
However, Larson could be out for as many as two years depending on
whether or not Washington State releases her from her scholarship.
If the Cougars do release Larson from her scholarship she will be
eligible to play in the 2005 season. If not, Larson and UCLA will
have to wait until the 2006 season. Reports indicate that the
Bruins are currently working with WSU athletic director Jim Sterk
to reach an agreement that would allow Larson to play at UCLA as
soon as possible. “With each player (who wants to transfer),
we try to help them land where they want to be,” Sterk told
the the Daily Evergreen. “[In this situation] there are some
hurdles ““ we can’t make the rules disappear completely.
I think we can get her down to the minimum, though.” Even if
Larson were eligible to play in the 2005 season, she would have to
compete with Nellie Spicer, a highly touted setter who has given
the Bruins an early commitment for the 2005 season. Recently, the
Bruins have seen much improvement in their roster from the addition
of transferring students. Nana Meriwether, who transferred from
Duke University this past year, was vital in the team’s
success after replacing last year’s middleblocker Cira
Wright. Like Meriwether, Larson will eventually provide relief as a
transfer at the setter position after Haley Jorgensborg departed
last season.
KLUSSMANN INJURED IN ACCIDENT: Former UCLA
men’s volleyball player and assistant coach Andy Klussmann
was placed in intensive care June 21 in Cheyenne, Wyo. after a
traffic accident that claimed the life of his wife, Janna.
Klussmann played for UCLA’s volleyball team from 1983-1985
and was a member of UCLA’s national championship teams in
1983 and 1984. After graduating from UCLA in 1987, Klussmann went
on to serve as a graduate assistant for the UCLA men’s team
under coach Al Scates and was an assistant coach from 1986-1987.
Klussmann has been working as an assistant coach for the Colorado
State women’s volleyball team for the past four years.