SportsVolleyball

Women’s volleyball falls in SCIAC opener

Outside hitter Talin Baharian sets the ball as middle hitter Denise Rice prepares to spike it during Saturday’s match against UC San Diego. Despite the team’s loss, the players worked together to complete many successful returns. / photo by Amy Borer
Outside hitter Talin Baharian sets the ball as middle hitter Denise Rice prepares to spike it during Saturday’s match against UC San Diego. Despite the team’s loss, the players worked together to complete many successful returns. / photo by Amy Borer

by Amber Neri
Staff Writer

The women’s volleyball team is off to a rocky start with its 0-1 SCIAC record, and 2-11 overall, after a Tuesday night loss to Occidental College, 10-15, 10-15, 15-6, and 7-17.

“It was an ugly volleyball game,” said Head Coach Jim Paschal. “That doesn’t mean it wasn’t exciting, it was just ugly volleyball.”

A change in the ULV line-up has junior Kim Caravalho starting at setter. Caravalho took over the position last Saturday against UC San Diego when Raelyn Tantoco missed because of personal problems.

“When changes are made on a team, it just takes time,” said Paschal, referring to the dwindling size of his team.

Only three players are on the bench, but they are getting more playing time according to sophomore Priscilla Alfaro.

“Since there are only the nine of us, we need to concentrate on our own performances, as it effects everyone on the team,” she said.

“We’re compensating in other ways. Having only nine players makes you rise to the occasion,” said sophomore middle blocker Denise Rice.

The Leopards played against UCSD last Saturday and fought a tough battle.

Though the final scores were in favor of the Tritons all three games, 15-3, 15-9, and 15-13, Paschal felt that his players did pretty well, considering that San Diego team was ranked number one in the nation last week.

“They shouldn’t feel badly at all, the last game was a close one at 15-13,” said Paschal. “Our offense during San Diego’s match was much better than it has been, but defensively, we are weaker and we could have played better.”

Paschal was positive about Caravalho’s performance at the San Diego match. “She did a good job, and she was consistent with her sets,” he said. It is something that she has had to step in and adjust to, since she just began playing as a setter these past two games.

With only nine players total, seven returners, and two new, it will take some getting used to for the team to get to where it wants to be.

Alfaro feels confident about the season’s outlook, “At the beginning of the season we were struggling, but after the UCSD game, the team started to realize that we virtually have the skills to play well against every team in our conference.”

The spikers will be playing Po­mona-Pitzer in Claremont tonight at 7:30.

“It’s finally going to be a chance to show, not only ourselves but everyone, (in the league) what we can do,” said Rice.

Amber Neri
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