Playing in front of their home crowd, the No. 7 Rainbow Wahine (3-0) swept the No. 9 Bruins (2-1) 25-23, 25-18, 25-22.
The Bruin loss is not devastating at this point in the schedule, considering the circumstances of the match. The loss, however, highlights the Bruins’ need for someone to step up as a leader.
Players and coaches were not available as of press time for comment.
In the first two matches of the season-opening tournament, the Bruins breezed past their opponents. On Friday, UCLA swept No. 25 Santa Clara 25-21, 21-16, 21-18, and the next night they took down Western Michigan 25-17, 25-14, 25-15.
With the graduation of three key starters, setter Nellie Spicer, outside hitter Ali Daley and libero Jessica Fine, the Bruins opened the season with concerns that they lacked enough veteran presence on the court to guide them through tough stretches. Specifically the loss of three-time All-American Spicer has cast the greatest doubt on the Bruins’ chances.
However, restocking that position was just what coach Andy Banachowski made sure to do when he recruited MaxPreps’ High School Player of the Year Lauren Cook out of Lincoln, Neb. So far the freshman has not disappointed.
“Lauren’s done a great job stepping into the starting role,” Banachowski said. “She’s definitely got a good rapport with her hitters.”
Junior outside hitter Dicey McGraw, who had a combined 20 kills and 0.459 hitting percentage in the team’s first two matches, has been more than impressed with Cook’s performance so far.
“She has blown everyone’s mind,” McGraw said. “She definitely has big shoes to fill, but she is so spunky out on the court. It’s been great to play with her.”
Cook logged a total of 92 assists over the three-game stretch.
“The transition has been great for me, personally,” sophomore middle blocker Amanda Gil said. “The first set that Lauren ever gave me was perfect, and I just slammed it down.”
On Saturday night, the Bruins recorded their highest team hitting percentage in five years, shooting at a .426 clip against Western Michigan.
“The chemistry is indescribable,” McGraw said. “We played awesome last night (against WMU) and that had to do with how calm everyone was.”
Senior outside hitter Kaitlin Sather will also play an important role in the dynamic of the squad. Returning from shoulder surgery that sidelined her all last season, Sather led the team with 10 kills in just her second game since 2007.
“It’s really great to have Kaitlin back with this team,” Banachowski said. “We’re a young team, and she provides stability.”
Against Santa Clara, McGraw topped the UCLA stat sheet with a game-high 12 kills and a career high .500 hitting percentage in the Bruins’ 11th straight season-opening victory.