Following the end of last season, everyone involved with the
UCLA women’s volleyball team understood that the program was
going to experience major reconstruction. The five seniors the
program had built itself around for the past four seasons were
graduating, and there was going to be a big gap for the younger
players to fill. On Wednesday, the day the 2005 women’s
volleyball roster was announced, that rebuilding process got a lot
tougher, as it was announced that two of UCLA’s brightest
stars, outside hitter Becky Green and libero Jessica Fine, would
not be returning to the team next season. The would-be junior Green
will be getting married this summer to UCLA men’s soccer
player Luke Mehring, and will sit out this season for personal
reasons, while Fine was dismissed for a violation of team rules.
“Both players will be sorely missed,” UCLA coach Andy
Banachowski said. “Becky hopefully will settle her personal
issues and be able to join the team in a year from now.”
Green, at one point the Bruins’ leading hitter last season,
finished the year with a 3.00 kills per game average and led the
team with .32 service aces per game average. Looking to replace
Green at outside hitter will be senior Nancy Barba and junior Katie
Carter, who both saw limited playing time last season. “We
will have competent replacement at the outside hitter
position,” Banachowski said. “At the same time, it will
be difficult to replace Becky’s production.” Fine, a
former walk-on, was expected to be part of the tough process of
replacing four-time All-American Chrissie Zartman at the libero
position. Now, junior Laura Kroneberger is the only libero on the
roster. “Jessica will have the opportunity to try out again
for the team in January, following the completion of our
season,” Banachowski said. “Until then, she will have
no role on the team.” Fine has appeared in 81 games at UCLA,
and recorded a 1.63 digs per game average last season.
SPICER SHINES AGAIN: After being named MVP of the USA Junior
Olympics in early July, incoming freshman setter Nellie Spicer was
one of 12 players named to the USA Women’s Junior National
Team on July 18. The team, competing in the FIVB Junior
Women’s U-20 Volleyball World Championships in Turkey, played
its opening game against Serbia and Montenegro on Saturday, and
faces off against Japan on July 25. The tournament ends July
31.