Underdogs last obstacles of season

W. VBALL Friday, 5 p.m. v. Oregon State Pauley
Pavilion Saturday, 5 p.m. v. Oregon Pauley Pavilion

Right now, all that stands between the women’s volleyball
team and its postseason fate are two teams that could be easily
overlooked.

But the No. 4 Bruins (27-3, 13-3 Pac-10) know much better than
to look past Oregon State and Oregon in its final regular season
home matches on Friday and Saturday.

Oregon State, who lives at the bottom of the Pac-10 standings
with an 0-16 record, will be playing with nothing to lose and
looking to end its season with at least one win. Oregon, who stands
at sixth place in the Pac-10 at 7-9 and 17-10 overall, will still
be fighting for its postseason life. Thus UCLA will not be taking
these teams lightly.

“(Oregon is) going to be looking for a big win to ensure
them a spot in the NCAAs,” coach Andy Banachowski said.
“They’re going to be a very dangerous team just like
Pepperdine was.”

And Banachowski knows just what it will take to beat these two
teams.

“Oregon is a big blocking team like Pepperdine is,”
Banachowski said. “They can cause you problems because they
can block and they can pass. They have one of the outstanding
liberos in the conference too.”

“Oregon State has one of the outstanding attackers (Rachel
Rourke) that we’re going to have to focus on and shut
down,” the coach said.

While keeping the Beavers and Ducks at bay, the Bruins will also
be focusing on advancing their own postseason chances by securing
two final regular-season wins. With the NCAA tournament selection
looming on Sunday, UCLA does not want to take any chances that
might cost it an advantage in the tournament.

“It’s extremely important (that we beat Oregon State
and Oregon),” senior Katie Carter said. “We need to
come out with both of these wins. We need to keep our ranking.
It’s going to put us in a really good spot, a good seed in
the tournament if we beat this group.”

Also, the Pac-10 title is still very much up for grabs between
Stanford, Washington and UCLA. Stanford and Washington will meet
head-to-head this Friday. The outcome of that match might turn out
very favorably for the Bruins. No. 14 California also stands in the
way of Washington’s conference title quest.

But with those matches not in UCLA’s hands, the Bruins
will concentrate on what they are in control of, and that is taking
care of the Oregon schools.

“It’s really important (to sweep this
weekend),” senior Nana Meriwether said. “It’s
important for our standings in the Pac-10 and further. They
announce the NCAA tournament and where it is on Sunday and
it’s just really important that we beat each team in
three.”

Saturday night will also be Senior Night for Carter and
Meriwether, as well as Colby Lyman and Laura Kroneberger.

“Everything has to come to an end, and I think I’m
ready for it,” Meriwether said. “It’s going to be
really sad playing for the last time in Pauley. It’s been a
great journey and a great learning experience.”

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