by Tanessa Dillard
Sports Editor
Coach Jim Paschal described the 1993 women’s volleyball season as poor. In 1994, things improved. This year, though, Paschal predicts an even better season than in the past two years.
“A conference championship is a reasonable goal,” he said. “I did not feel that for the last two years. “Skill wise, we will be much better.”
Assistant coach Don Flora also thinks the prospects are good for the team this season. He said the women are more competitive than in past years. They push themselves to do better.
The 1995 team consists of only 10 players. Ideally, Paschal would like to have 12 to 14 players.
“The quality is much better than it has been,” he said. “I’ll take quality over quantity any time.”
One concern with having such a small team is injuries. If any occur, the women are prepared with their training in multiple positions.
Last year senior Kim Caravalho, an outside hitter, began setting mid-season. Paschal feels she has had time to get used to the idea of setting, which she will do again this year. He said her leadership has improved in the position.
The overall goals of the team are to compete better in conference and to win.
“We want to win this year. We have the potential to win. As long as we communicate and play our game, we’re gonna win,” said senior outside hitter Margaret Pulver.
Freshman Jennifer Edie is an outside hitter from Corona.
“I think this team is going to be one of the best,” she said. We all get along very well. We communicate well, and we have a lot of great players.”
Caravalho agrees that the new team is a quality team. She said each player makes a worthwhile contribution. “Of my four years, this is the most exciting,” she said.
Five of the nine players this season are returners.
The roster of newcomers includes freshmen Lynsey Best and Celestial George and sophomore Adriana Macias. Returners are Michelle Pulver and Michelle Runyan.
The team opened its season last night with a home game against Masters. Tomorrow they play at Azusa Pacific at 7:30 p.m.
Tanessa Dillard
