In what players and coaches expected to be a routine road trip to the Oregon schools, the women’s volleyball team was met with some unfortunate news at the airport. They were unable to return to Los Angeles until Monday evening due to mechanical problems with the airplane.
With Sunday as their initial travel day and off-day from practice, the team did not practice on Monday in what coach Andy Banachowski jokingly called “an unplanned vacation from school.”
“It was disconcerting not being able to get back, but I thought the team handled it extremely well,” Banachowski said.
Despite the loss of practice time and a shorter Tuesday session, Banachowski explained that his team is back on schedule. Now the Bruins will focus their sights on their home opener Friday against No. 10 Washington.
The home-court advantage, Banachowski explained, would be a welcomed change from the many opposing crowds the team has had to play in front of so far this season.
Big shoes to fill
After losing last season’s leader in kills-per-set in outside hitter Kaitlin Sather to a right bicep injury, the No. 8 Bruins’ attack has a big hole to fill.
“Certainly, it’s been tough to replace Kaitlin and her firepower out here, but I think we’re getting better,” Banachowski said. “We’re recognizing what we can do and what we cannot do.”
The Bruins have relied on the play of sophomore Dicey McGraw and senior Ali Daley, both outside hitters, who led the team with 2.98 and 2.70 kps, respectively.
This season, the Bruins have averaged only 10.33 kps, compared to 16.48 kps last year, even though sets are now played to 25 instead of 30 points. While having to adjust to the rule change, the Bruins have averaged about 3.4 fewer kps than last year.
Freshmen carry own weight
With an unprecedented seven true freshmen playing significant time this year, the Bruins have relied strongly on their youth for their success thus far.
“(The freshmen) are doing a good job of learning,” Banachowski said. “Certainly, these freshmen are having more of an impact, and it’s great having new blood out there on the court.”
Notable freshman performances so far include: middle blocker Amanda Gil, who leads the Pac-10 with 1.45 blocks per set, and middle blocker Katie Camp, who is second on the team with a .308 hitting percentage and 1.17 bps. Defensive specialist Lainey Gera, who averages 1.78 digs per set, has also received considerable playing time, appearing in all of the Bruins’ 14 matches.
“It’s exciting to see what they can do for us,” Banachowski said. “They just have to learn a lot fast.”