In 2005, the members of a young UCLA women’s volleyball
team found out a lot about themselves through a season full of ups
and downs.
Now, in 2006, a more experienced team has heightened its
expectations.
So far, so good.
Coming into Pac-10 play last Thursday, UCLA was off to its best
start since 1993.
The Bruins finished non-conference play 13-0, taking home four
tournament titles along the way.
The victories included sweeps of then-No. 5 Florida and then-No.
7 Hawai’i to win the Hawaiian Airlines Classic in
Honolulu.
“It’s early and we’re really pleased with what
we did (at the Hawaiian Airlines Classic), playing against highly
ranked teams,” coach Andy Banachowski, now in his 40th year
at UCLA, said.
“It gives us a lot of confidence going into the Pac-10,
knowing we can play with teams like that,” he said.
Banachowski, who became the first collegiate women’s
volleyball coach to win 1,000 matches last season, is counting on
increased production from a more experienced roster ”“
and that’s exactly what he has been receiving thus far.
Especially impressive in the early going for the Bruins has been
senior middle blocker Nana Meriwether.
Meriwether, among the team leaders in most of the Bruins’
statistics over the past two years, elevated her game to an
entirely new level early on in 2006.
At the end of non-conference play, Meriwether led the Bruins in
kills per game (4.37) and blocks per game (1.53), and led the
nation with a .571 hitting percentage. She was also named
tournament MVP of the Hawaiian Airlines Classic and the Hilton
Garden Inn Greenbelt Invitational in Maryland.
Sophomore setter Nellie Spicer has also stepped up her game and
has been among the top five in the nation all year long in assists
per game (14.00). She was named tournament MVP at the Pioneer
Classic in Denver.
The Bruins have also added plenty of depth to their roster.
Sophomore hitter Ali Daley has been a pleasant surprise for the
Bruins in the early going.
Daley is averaging 3.25 kills per game and has been pushing the
returning Bruins, including sophomore hitter and last year’s
standout freshman Kaitlin Sather, for playing time.
“It will be a battle between Ali Daley and Kaitlin
Sather,” Banachowski said. “They’ve both played
well.”
Also back in the mix for the Bruins are junior Becky Mehring and
senior Colby Lyman.
Mehring, a key member of the 2004 UCLA team, is returning to the
team after redshirting last year to attend to her new baby.
Lyman has been great for the Bruins when she has been on the
court, but her Bruin career has been plagued by injuries.
Lyman missed half of last season with knee and elbow injuries
and has been limited in and missed parts of every season in her
Bruin career because of injuries.
Lyman, an opposite, has played mostly a defensive role for the
Bruins this season, averaging 2.55 digs per game.
The Bruins entered Pac-10 play last Thursday with a No. 3
national ranking, much higher than they received at any point
during last season.
Banachowski is confident the team can extend its early
success.
“We always start out with high hopes and expectations, and
I think that (our play against Florida and Hawai’i) gives us
a little confirmation of the talent and potential that this team
has.”