SportsVolleyball

Women spikers dig into new year

The women's volleyball team under the guidance of head volleyball coach Jim Paschal began practice in the Student Center Gym early last week. The women's first home game is against San Bernardino Sept. 16. / photo by Echelle Avelar
The women’s volleyball team under the guidance of head volleyball coach Jim Paschal began practice in the Student Center Gym early last week. The women’s first home game is against San Bernardino Sept. 16. / photo by Echelle Avelar

by J.R. Gonsalves
Staff Writer

After losing in straight sets to the University of San Diego in the first round of the 1996 playoffs, the University of La Verne women’s volleyball team is hungry to begin a new season with a new line-up and high hopes.

In 1997 the women’s volleyball team will play teams like California Lutheran, Pomona-Pitzer and UC San Diego and will compete in a national tournament hosted by defending national champion University of Washington.

“The strength of our schedule is very important to us,” says head coach Jim Paschal.

Cal Lutheran, UCSD, Pomona and La Verne are the western powerhouses year in and year out. It would not be a surprise if the Sept. 23 match against UCSD was one of the biggest of the year. The Sept. 30 match against Pomona Pitzer and the Oct. 3 game against Cal Lutheran will provide an early challenge for the team.

The team’s schedule makes it tough for them to win every game, but Paschal knows that the tough schedule will only make his team stronger.

The Leopards will have four returning starters. Senior setter Mercury Simonian, who captured first team All-Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) honors and averaged nine assists per game.

Simonian is joined by sophomore Sarah Henry, who captured second team All-SCIAC and averaged almost three kills per game at the opposite hitting position in 1996. Sophomore Allison Moore played middle blocker in 1996, where she averaged one block per game and Jill Seaton played outside hitter who averaged two kills per game. Henry, Moore and Seaton are young players, which shows how bright this team’s future is. There are also high hopes for new players, like freshman left side Amy Brummel.

“She is a big banger and blocker.” assistant coach Don Flora said.

Some other players to watch are freshman outside hitter Megan Martin, junior college transfer and utility player Christy Ganz and senior middle blocker Jacqui Zwissler. Zwissler is coming back to ULV for her teaching credentials and back to play volleyball after a four year hiatus. According to Paschal, these players make this year’s team stronger, skill wise, than last years team.

The Leopards also return sophomore outside hitter Katie Holmes and sophomore middle blocker Isa Lose to a line-up already filled with talent and experience. Rounding out the team’s roster is junior outside hitter Lynsey Best, who should add some depth to the team.

“Having pride makes you better and this group will get after it,” says Paschal. This year’s team is a lot bigger. Their size is going to help tremendously with their serving and blocking game. The main goal of the team is to make the playoffs and since Paschal senses that the team will have better chemistry, 1997 may be one of the best in recent years. Another positive for the team is the fact that they have learned from last years playoff defeat.

The team opens its season at the Whittier College Tournament tonight. The Leopards’ first game will be at noon against Master’s College.

J.R. Gonsalves, Assistant Sports Editor
J.R. Gonsalves
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Echelle Avelar, Sports Editor
Echelle Avelar
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