WAC PLAYER OF THE WEEK Nevada's Jill Couwenhoven has been named the Western Athletic Conference Volleyball Player of the Week. Couwenhoven earned her first career WAC Player of the Week honor, and the Wolf Pack's second of the year. Michelle More was named player of the week on Sept. 3.
Couwenhoven, a 5-10 setter, led the Wolf Pack to a 3-1 win over Fresno State in their 2002 WAC opener. Couwenhoven accumulated 100 assists in two matches, as Nevada also swept CS Fullerton. Nevada is now 12-2 overall and 7-0 at home this season. The Wolf Pack have an overall eight-match home court winning streak, dating back to the final regular season match of 2001.
A senior from Clovis, Calif., Couwenhoven averaged 14.29 apg and 2.0 dpg. Couwenhoven posted 53 assists in the win over Fresno State and 47 assists against CS Fullerton. With the assists, she now has 2,414 career assists, good for third place on Nevada's all-time list.
OTHERS NOMINATED Other nominees included: Whitney Arena, Fresno State; Kim Willoughby, Hawai`i; Cristine Sant'Anna, Louisiana Tech; Rebeca Pazo, Rice; Stephanie Pascucci, San Jose State and Lindsay Eaves, Tulsa.
Fresno State's Arena led the Bulldogs to a 1-1 week, including WAC a win against Boise State. Arena had 46 assists in the loss to Nevada and 34 assists in the win over the Broncos. She had the third-highest number of digs (15) on the team last week.
Hawaii's Willoughby had a solid WAC opener against Rice, going for 23 kills and 13 digs while hitting a season-high .625. She is now averaging 6.37 kpg, 3.54 dpg and 0.86 sapg while hitting .372 on the season.
Louisiana Tech's Sant'Anna had a double-double with 15 kills and 19 digs against SMU on Sept. 27. She also added seven assists in the loss. The double-double was her eighth of the season.
Rice's Pazo led all Lady Owl hitters in the loss to No. 2 Hawaii. The sophomore outside hitter had 11 of Rice's 29 total kills. She also added two aces and assisted on one block.
San Jose State's Pascucci became the eighth Spartan to record 1,000 career kills with her 12 kills against Santa Clara. The senior middle blocker also hit .284 against in Saint Mary's with nine blocks.
Tulsa's Eaves was named to the Big Red Invitational all-Tournament team after averaging 3.57 kills per game. She has recorded double-digit kills in eight of the last nine Hurricane matches. She ended the weekend with 14 kills and 11 block assists.
THIS WEEK IN WAC VOLLEYBALL The 2002 volleyball season enters week six and the bulk of WAC play. All 10 teams will face off with WAC opponents this week. With interdivisional play this week, Eastern Division-leading SMU (1-0) takes on Western Division co-leader Nevada (1-0) and Boise State (0-1) at home. Hawaii (1-0) takes on upstart Louisiana Tech (0-1) in Hawaii, as the Lady Techsters make their first trip to the island. In a match-up of teams with double-digit win totals this season, Fresno State takes on Tulsa on the road. The Bulldogs (1-1) will also face UTEP in the Miners WAC opener. Tulsa will also take on San Jose in the Spartans first WAC match of the season.
These interdivision matchups are key. Wins against teams in other divisions get teams two points, while a team only receives one point for a win in its own division. This season, only eight teams make the WAC Tournament.
NON-CONFERENCE OPPONENTS WAC teams will face at least 21 teams that participated in last years NCAA Tournament. Hawaii will play the most (6), including San Diego State, UCLA, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Colorado and defending national champion Stanford. San Jose State will face four teams, including Stanford. Fresno State is next (3) along with Nevada (5), Rice (2), SMU (1) and UTEP (1). So far this season, the WAC is 81-46 (.638) against non conference opponents. So far this season, the WAC is 5-3 against teams ranked in the top 25. Hawaii leads the way with a 3-0 record with wins over No. 9 Ohio State, No. 7 UCLA and No. 20 Colorado. Nevada upset then-No. 23 BYU and then No. 25 Colorado State.
WAC IN NATIONAL RANKINGS The WAC is very prevalent in the NCAA Rankings (through Sept. 22). Hawaii's Kim Willoughby, who led the NCAA in kills per game last season, is second this season (6.25kpg). Nevada's Michelle More (5.83 kpg) jumped up to fifth from eighth and Hawaii's Lily Kahumoku (4.93 kpg) is 23rd. Nevada's Jill Couwenhoven (13.63 apg) is eighth in assists, while SMU's Kristen Peterson is 15th in digs with a 4.55 dpg average.
As as team, Hawaii holds several marks, including fifth in hitting percentage (.327), second in assists (16.80), and second in kills (18.22). Nevada is 11th in assists (15.25) and 14th in kills (16.77), while Fresno State is 24th in hitting percentage (.278) and 29th in kills (16.25).
SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST Nevada won its WAC opener despite being a man down. Junior, outside hitter, Laura Wooley separated her shoulder in an ROTC training exercise last week and could miss up to a month of the season. Wooley, a junior transfer from Connecticut, had started every match this season. She also earned all-tournament honors in the Colorado State Coors Classic. She is second on the team in kills per game, 3.20 and digs per game, 3.05. Her 3.05 dpg average places her 10th in the WAC.
HOME COURT ADVANTAGE WAC schools have really taken advantage of playing at home this season. Nevada is 7-0 at home this season and have won 21-of-22 games played in the Virginia Street Gym this year. The Wolf Packs overall home court win streak is eight matches dating back to the final match of last season when they knocked off UNLV, 3-2.
Hawaii has played all of its matches so far this season at home, winning all 11. At home this season, the Rainbow Wahine have beaten No. 9 Ohio State, No. 11 UCLA and No. 20 Colorado. Last season, the WAC Champions ended the season with a 14-2 record at home.
Three other teams who are off fast starts have stellar records at home this season. Fresno State holds a 5-1 mark at home this season, while Louisiana Tech is 4-1. Last season, the Lady Techsters won only four matches at home all season. Tulsa is undefeated at home this season with a 4-0 record, one win shy of last season's win total.
WELCOME WAGON The WAC welcomes UTEPs Scott Swanson who begins his first season as the Miners head coach. Swanson comes to UTEP after spending six seasons at Arizona State. Boise States Scott Sandel also begins his first season as the Broncos head coach. Sandel comes to Boise State after two season as head coach at Northern Michigan.
HOLDING STEADY Hawaii is the only WAC team to appear in both the USA Today/AVCA and Volleyball Magazine polls. This week, the Rainbow Wahine are second in both the Volleyball Magazine poll the USA Today/AVCA poll. Both Fresno State (7) and Nevada (17) made their second appearances, receiving votes in the USA Today/AVCA poll.
PACKING THE STANDS Hawaii leads the nation in attendance average this season, averaging 7,197 fans per match. The Rainbow Wahine have drawn over 79,000 fans in 11 home matches this season. Nebraska, the second ranked school, averages 4,105 after four matches.
Hawaii also holds the top nine of the top 10 attendance figures this season, including the top spot with 9,495 fans in the season opening win over Ohio State on August 30. Against UCLA (9/2), Hawaii drew 8,604 for the second spot, and the match with Washington (9/7) took third, drawing 7,365.
Top 10 National Attendance
School Avg. Matches Total
1. Hawaii 7,197 11 79,164
2. Nebraska 5,009 5 25,047
3. Wisconsin 3,021 5 15,103
4. Florida 2,610 6 15,658
5. Penn St. 2,438 8 19,508
6. Illinois St. 2,361 8 18,890
7. LBSU 2,112 8 16,897
8. No. Iowa 1,940 3 5,820
9. Arizona 1,900 5 9,502
MAJOR RULE CHANGE One major rule change this season is the addition of the Libero (pronounced: LEE-bah-ro). The Libero is a designated back row player who can replace any player in the back row without counting as a substitution. The Libero will wear a different uniform and has limitations. She cannot serve or attack a ball if contact is made while the ball is above the height of the net. The libero also cannot block or attempt a block.
VOLLEYBALL FORMAT There are two divisions for the 2002 season: West and East. The teams in the West consist of Boise State, Fresno State, Hawai`i, Nevada and San Jose State. The teams in the East consist of Louisiana Tech, Rice, SMU, UTEP and Tulsa. Each team plays each other twice, home and home within each division and plays each team from the other division once.
WAC VOLLEYBALL ON THE WEB The WAC site on the world wide web (www.wacsports.com) includes extensive volleyball information. It includes the latest notes, statistics, standings and Players of the Week.
AROUND THE COURT News and notes from around the league:
Boise State Boise State looks break its 11-match losing streak against WAC foes Rice and SMU. The Broncos last captured a win on Aug. 31 against Eastern Kentucky.
Fresno State Senior outside hitter Christy Burnett was the only Bulldog to post double-figure kills in both matches played last weekend. With 41 career 10-plus kill matches, Burnett posted 13 kills against both Nevada and Boise State. Burnett also moved up into the schools all-time career lists in total attempts, digs and service aces over the weekend. She now ranks No. 10 all-time in career attempts (2,345) and No. 11 in career digs (882), while needing 13 service aces to crack the schools Top 10 (90).
Hawaii Hawaii is currently 11-0 and have lost just two games during the season. The Rainbow Wahine have now won their last 18 games as well. The Rainbow Wahine continue to be led by All-Americans Lily Kahumoku and Kim Willoughby. Kahumoku had a great match against Rice with 18 kills, a .351 hitting percentage, six digs, two blocks and three assists. Willoughby leads the league in kills per game (6.37) and service aces (0.86).
Louisiana Tech Louisiana Tech won two of three last week before losing the WAC opener in four games. The Lady Techsters played well against SMU, posting a higher hitting percentage and recording more digs and blocks than SMU. Louisiana Tech had 10 aces versus Texas Southern last week. Louisiana Tech will play its highest ever ranked opponent ever when the Techsters take on No. 2 Hawaii for the first time in Honolulu on Saturday.
Nevada Jill Couwenhovens match-high 47 assists on Sept. 28 gave her 2,414 for her career, moving her past Alanna Whitnacks (1997-98) 2,383 and into third place on the Packs career list. Michelle More had a match-high 21 kills against CS Fullerton night as she surpassed 1,200 for her career. Her 1,215 career kills moved her past former teammate and current roommate Suzanne Stonebarger (1998-01), who played three seasons with More and totaled 1,198 kills.
Rice The Owls opened conference play with a loss at second-ranked Hawaii. Rice tallied 10 block assists, three courtesy of senior Briana Cook. Cook's career total is now 395, good for first place all-time at Rice in block assists. The Houston native needs just 20 total blocks to take over the all-time spot at Rice. Junior Rebekah Neal was the Owls' assists leader against the Rainbow Wahine with 15, bringing her career total to 1,396.
San Jose State The Spartans look to snap their four-match losing streak as WAC play begins. Last week, San Jose State dropped two tough five-game matches to Saint Mary's and Santa Clara. The Spartans look to get back on track with help from senior Stephanie Pascucci. The middle blocker became the eighth player in school history to record 1,000 career kills with her 12 kills against Santa Clara. She now has 1,004 career kills.
SMU The Mustangs had a strong week last week, capturing wins against North Texas and Louisiana Tech. SMU is currently in first place in the Eastern Division with a 1-0 WAC record. The two-match winning streak is the Mustangs second of the season. Earlier in the year, SMU defeated East Tennessee State on Aug. 31 and Southwest Missouri State on Sept. 6. SMU looks to extends its winning streak this week with WAC matches against Nevada (Oct. 3) and Boise State (Oct. 5).
UTEP After a week hiatus, the 5-5 Miners return to play this week, opening the WAC season. UTEP will take on San Jose State on Thursday, Oct. 3. The Miners will then host Fresno State on Saturday, Oct. 5. Last season, the Miners were 5-8 in WAC play with a 3-3 record at home. Under new head coach Scott Swanson, the Miners look to improve upon that record.
Tulsa With a 3-1 record at the Big Red Invitational, Tulsa moved to 15-3 on the season. The Golden Hurricane matched the school record for winning percentage (.833) after 18 matches. The Hurricane look to continue their strong season, opening WAC play this week at home against Fresno State (1-1) and San Jose State (0-0). Tulsa and San Jose State are two of three teams (UTEP) who start WAC play this week.
TOURNAMENT TAKERS So far this season, WAC schools have captured 11 tournament titles. Hawaii has won two titles at home this season. Fresno State has captured two road titles, adding a home title last week. Tulsa and Nevada have both won two titles. Tulsa's titles are the Golden Hurricanes first tournament wins since 2000. Rice took home its first tournament win of the season, winning the Lady Vol Classic in Knoxville. The win was the Owls first tournament win since 1999. Louisiana Tech won its first title in nine year, capturing the Southern Mississippi Tournament.