A team leader can raise a team up, and push that team to over-preform and outplay teams that are better on paper. As UCLA women’s volleyball gets deeper into conference play, the team is still looking for its leader.
“You know, I don’t think we have a leader on this team,” said coach Michael Sealy.
On a volleyball team, the setter is always a strong candidate. In theory, the setter should be involved on almost every play, and she makes the ultimate decision of who will attack the ball. For No. 12 UCLA (13-3, 4-2 Pac-12), however, stable leadership would be a lot to expect from the setter position.
The Bruins began the season with freshman Zana Muno at setter, but she and redshirt sophomore Ryann Chandler have split the role since the Cal game on Sept. 27, with Chandler receiving most of the playing time.
“(Chandler) is super positive all the time. She’s setting everything. She can set a middle off the net (and) a go to the outside from so far away,” said sophomore outside hitter Reily Buechler. “She’s just leading the team right now.”
While Buechler said Chandler was leading the team, she also acknowledged that Chandler was not a lock to be on the court during the next game.
“I think we’re just trying to figure out who’s going to be our setter. Zana (Muno)’s also been killing it in practice,” Buechler said. “Whoever’s being super consistent is probably going to play.”
Without a secure starting setter, another obvious place to look for a leader would be an offensive standout like junior Jordan Anderson. The outside hitter leads the team with 254 kills, 92 more than her nearest competitor.
“I’m not a big verbal leader,” Anderson said. “I guess I would say I’m more of a leader by example. I try to keep my game consistent so people can rely on me, but I wouldn’t look at myself as a leader of the team.”
Anderson gave leadership credit to a pair of her teammates: Chandler and senior libero Karly Drolson. Sealy answered a similar question by giving credit to three players.
“I think there’s a collective. I think as a group they decide on the pulse,” said Sealy. “If anything I would say the three smalls – between (senior libero) Rachel (Inouye), Karly Drolson and (junior defensive specialist) Taylor Formico – that are maybe setting a standard a little bit.”
All told, the Bruins have at least six players that could fit the mold of leader in Anderson, Drolson, Chandler, Formico, Inouye and Muno, but none has risen alone as a pure leader yet.
The collective has helped the Bruins win the games they should be winning, but they have also lost the games they should be losing. During conference play, UCLA has yet to be involved in an upset on any side.
The Bruins look to break that pattern this weekend, with games against No. 14 Arizona (13-5, 3-3) and No. 10 Arizona State (15-2, 4-2).