by Chad Harp
Staff Writer
With the 2000 Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title to defend, the La Verne women’s volleyball team opened the season by walking over Life Bible College in three quick games, 30-12, 30-15, 30-11.
Making short work of the extremely overmatched Life Bible College, the Leopards ran away with Saturday night’s match. Displaying both good and bad play on the court, the Leopards seemed to have, at times, fallen to the mediocre level of their opponent’s performance.
Leading La Verne with 12 of the Leopards’ 46 kills was sophomore Amy Smith. Senior Ryan Winn’s 35 sets were also directed to freshman Amy Kratochivil, juniors Kelsey Kennedy, Stacey Lupu, and senior Adriana Contreras. The Leopards .322 attack percentage towered over the oppositions negative .114 percentage.
Coming off a very impressive 2000 season, the Leopards return six starters 2nd Team All-Conference Contreras, 1st Team All-Conference Winn, Smith, Lupu, Kennedy, and junior Adrian Pearson.
With experience to build on, the women had great preseason workouts in the weight room and the gym to prepare them for another prosperous year.
“This is a new year with a new emphasis on team,” said coach Don Flora. “We have our sights set high and we’ll keep working to get there.”
With that game serving almost as much importance as the recent alumni game, which took four games to win, the Leopards were warming up for their upcoming trip to Texas, but the tournament has been canceled.
Two important games against Trinity University were to serve as a focal point for the Leopards’ season, along with other crucial matches against North Central Illinois and East Baptist Texas.
The Leopards were to leave on Thursday and return on Sunday, but they are now staying in the area to prepare for their upcoming conference matches.
The Leopards will begin their quest for the SCIAC Conference title at 7:30 p.m. on Friday at home against the Occidental Tigers.
Chad Harp
