Pulled hamstrings. Tweaked ankles. These are the injuries that
every team goes through during the regular season. But for the No.
11 UCLA women’s volleyball team, the injuries have come up
more often than not. “We haven’t been able to have a
full squad at practice all year,” coach Andy Banachowski
said. “It has really hurt us, but we haven’t been able
to develop any continuity in our offense.” Following
Saturday’s disappointing loss to USC, UCLA players Becky
Green and Heather Cullen were held out of practice due to strains
in their backs. The injuries have been a recurring theme for both
players. Cullen missed parts of practice last spring with a tear in
her ACL and was limited at the beginning of practice this fall.
Green missed a game against Arizona State with a high-ankle sprain
sustained against Arizona in the previous match. “Having
these injuries have stopped us from getting any flow or
rhythm,” Banachowski said. “It has been one of the
reasons our passing has suffered.”
MURPHY STAYS IN MIDDLE: Brynn Murphy has been
permanently installed at the flex position for the upcoming portion
of the schedule. “She had relative success attracting
USC’s blockers to the middle and opening up opportunities for
the outside hitters,” Banachowski said. “I think we
will continue to use her in the same position in the future.”
UCLA’s outside hitters Brittany Ringel and Colby Lyman also
enjoyed relative success due to Murphy’s presence. Both
recorded double-digit kills in the match and were only required to
go up against one blocker. Murphy is happy with the move as long as
it helps the team. “I will do anything the coaches ask me to
do. If using me as a decoy is better for our offense, I’m
fully in support of it.”
UCLA FANS MAKE CROSSTOWN TRIP: Many members of
the UCLA men’s water polo and men’s volleyball teams
were in attendance for Saturday’s match at USC. The athletes,
sitting next to the UCLA bench, were dressed in an assortment of
costumes and did their best to intimidate the USC players.
“Its always nice to get the support of friends and family at
our matches,” Banachowski said. “I think it provides a
boost for our team.”