After UCLA’s Brittany Ringel took 54 swings in just three
games during yesterday’s loss to Pepperdine, it would
certainly be excusable if she needed an ice pack after the
game.
But despite taking more swings than a schoolyard bully in a
neighborhood brawl, Ringel was not even tired.
“My arm feels good,” said the sophomore outside
hitter, who led No. 19 UCLA (15-11, 8-7 Pac-10) with 21 kills on
the night. “Everyone has a big night sometime during the
season, and tonight was my night.”
Although No. 9 Pepperdine (19-6) dismantled the Bruins in only
three games, Ringel nearly topped her season-highs in kills (22)
and total swings (58). Her play was the lone bright spot in an
otherwise forgettable performance by the squad.
“Brittany did a nice job making good choices
tonight,” UCLA head coach Andy Banachowski said. “I am
real happy with the progress that she has made.”
Ringel was in a groove early in the match, as she tallied 11
kills in the opening game. Overall she made just six errors, and
notched a .348 hitting percentage.
Early in the season, Ringel had struggled with her
decision-making on offense, as she tended to go for the big shot on
every point. Lately, however, she has showed her maturity by making
better choices on the court.
“We have been working a lot about being more efficient and
not swinging as hard as we can out there,” Ringel said.
“It’s really starting to come together.”
Ringel’s improvement has been one of the keys to
UCLA’s recent upswing offensively. Since losing four games in
a row in October, the Bruins have hit over .280 in every match, and
Ringel has been a big contributor.
The sophomore has tallied double-digit kills in her last four
matches, and is second on the team averaging 3.26 kills per
game.
“Brittany has really progressed well this season,”
Banachowski said. “She still brings the heat when we need it
out there, but she has also learned to use the off-speed and
tips.”
On a night in which the Waves washed out UCLA’s attack,
Ringel’s firepower at least kept the Bruins within striking
distance.
She hadn’t even iced her elbow by the time she left the
stadium.