Daily Bruin File Photo Freshman Chrissie
Zartman will make the switch from to defensive specialist
to a new libero position next season.
They’re coming
UCLA has signed two players to national letters of intent during
the early signing period.
“We didn’t get a big class in terms of numbers, but
we got some real good quality,” Banachowski said. “It
will fit well with what our needs are.”
Haley Jorgensborg, a 5-foot-11 left-handed setter from Pacific
Palisades, led nearby Marymount High School to two straight
California State titles.
With senior setter Erika Selsor gone, Jorgensborg will compete
for playing time with sophomore Krystal McFarland, who redshirted
the season.
Nancy Barba, a 6-foot-1 middle blocker from Austin, Texas, is a
two-time All-State selection.
“Both of these kids just need some seasoning,”
Banachowski said. “They are very talented, and they’re
going to be very good for us.”
Rule change
The NCAA women’s volleyball rules committee has approved
the use of the libero, a designated back-row player who cannot
serve, attack or set inside the attack line.
“I’m excited about having the libero,” UCLA
head coach Andy Banachowski said. “It’s going to be a
good addition for women’s volleyball.”
The libero, which is currently used in international and NCAA
men’s competition, can replace any back-row player without
counting against a team’s 12 substitutions.
“We believe the adoption of the libero will add a new
element of excitement to the game, raise the level of play and has
the potential to create opportunities for the smaller
athlete,” said Terry Pettit, chair of NCAA women’s
volleyball rules committee, in a statement.
Essentially, the rule allows for what used to be the defensive
specialist to play the whole match.
UCLA will have sophomore Stacey Lee and freshman Chrissie
Zartman to fill the position next season. Banachowski will have to
weigh giving up the serve of Zartman, the team’s
second-leading server, versus starting her full time.
Pro Bruin
Chicago Thunder outside hitter Kristee Porter was named the
United States Professional Volleyball league’s first-ever
Player of the Week for Feb. 4-10. Porter notched 32 kills in that
week alone.
Compiled by Diamond Leung, Daily Bruin Senior Staff.