WAC PLAYER OF THE WEEK Louisiana Tech's Cristine Sant'Anna has been named the Western Athletic Conference Volleyball Player of the Week. Sant'Anna is the first Lady Techster to earn player of the week honors.
Sant'Anna, a 6-0 outside hitter, led the Lady Techsters to their first tournament win in nine years as Louisiana Tech captured the Southern Mississippi Tournament. The Lady Techsters defeated Grambling State, Alcorn State and Southern Mississippi, only dropping one game. With the wins this week, Louisiana Tech (10-5) has surpassed last season's win total. The 2001 Lady Techsters finished with an 8-20 record.
A junior from Sao Paulo, Brazil, Sant'Anna averaged 4.0 kpg and 1.9 dpg. Sant'Anna posted double-figure kills in all three matches, including 12 kills against Grambling State. Also against Grambling State, she hit a career-high .618 with a career-high seven blocks. She ended the week with 40 kills and 19 digs with 12 total blocks.
OTHERS NOMINATED Other nominees included: Java Johnson, Fresno State; Kim Willoughby, Hawaii; Michelle More, Nevada; Rebeca Pazo, Rice and Jennifer Abbruzzese, UTEP.
Fresno State's Johnson led the Bulldogs to a 3-0 record last week, including a 3-2 win over San Diego. Johnson led the Bulldogs in kills per game, hitting efficiency and block solos. She now has six double-figure kill performances.
Hawaii's Willoughby averaged 6.00 kpg and 2.67 dpg as the Rainbow Wahine defeated Houston and Saint Mary's without dropping a game. Willoughby totalled 36 kills in six games.
Nevada's More earned her third tournament MVP honor of the season as the Wolf Pack went 2-1 at the Coors Classic in Fort Collins, Colo. More averaged 6.38 kpg and 1.46 dpg.
Rice's Pazo was named to the all-tournament team for the third-straight week. In three matches, she averaged 5.08 kpg, leading the team with 61 total kills. She tied her career high for kills with 26 against Central Florida.
UTEP's Abbruzzese recorded her second-straight 20-20 match with 21 kills and 20 digs against Northern Arizona. She added three aces and four blocks, as UTEP moved to 5-5 with the win.
THIS WEEK IN WAC VOLLEYBALL The 2002 volleyball season enters week five with WAC play beginning. Fresno State looks to add to its 12 wins this season on the road against Nevada (Sept. 26) and Boise State (Sept. 28). Louisiana Tech opens its second WAC season, hosting SMU (Sept. 27). Rice makes the tough trip to Honolulu to face No. 2 Hawaii on Sept. 27.
San Jose State, Tulsa and UTEP all begin WAC action next week. Tulsa continues tournament play traveling to the Cornell Tournament. The Spartans face Saint Mary's at home and Santa Clara on the road. UTEP takes the week off
Hawaii looks to win its seventh WAC regular season title after finishing 13-0 in the West in 2001. San Jose State and Nevada both ended last season 9-4 in the West. Rice was in control in the East in 2001 with a 10-3 record, followed by SMU and Tulsa.
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 young season, the WAC is 74-41 (.643) against non conference opponents. Last week, the WAC had a strong showing with a 16-10 record. 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. 15). Hawaii's Kim Willoughby, who led the NCAA in kills per game last season, is second this season (6.31kpg). Nevada's Michelle More (5.56 kpg) is eighth and Hawaii's Lily Kahumoku (4.90 kpg) is 26th. 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 eighth in hitting percentage (.314), second in assists (16.73), and second in kills (18.08). Nevada is ninth in assists (15.33) and 19th in kills (16.63), while Fresno State is 14th in hitting percentage (.299) and 21st in kills (16.55).
BACK ON TRACK Several WAC teams have already surpassed last season's win total. With a 12-2 record this season, Tulsa has already won three more matches than all of the 2001 season when the Golden Hurricane finished with a 9-15 record. Tulsa won eight-straight matches before falling to UT Pan American on Sept. 20.
Louisiana Tech has opened the 2002 season with a 11-5 record. Last season, the Lady Techsters finished with a 8-20 record in their first season in the WAC. Louisiana Tech also won its first tournament in nine seasons, capturing the Southern Mississippi Tournament.
Both Fresno State and Nevada have also gotten off to quick starts this season. Fresno State (12-1) is second behind undefeated Hawaii in winning percentage, .923. Last season, the Bulldogs were 14-10.
The Wolf Pack are 10-2 this season, winning nine in a row before losing to Cincinnati on Sept. 21. Nevada has also defeated two top 25 teams (BYU and Colorado State).
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 (10) and Nevada (8) made their first appearances, receiving votes in the USA Today/AVCA poll.
PACKING THE STANDS Hawaii leads the nation in attendance average this season, averaging 7,207 fans per match. The Rainbow Wahine have drawn over 72,000 fans in 10 home matches this season. Nebraska, the second ranked school, averages 4,105 after four matches.
Hawaii also holds the top 11 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. Hawai'i 7,207 10 72,074
2. Nebraska 4,105 4 16,420
3. Wisconsin 3,021 5 15,103
4. Florida 2,623 5 13,113
5. Penn State 2,423 6 14,537
6. Illinois St. 2,372 6 14,230
7. LBSU 1,995 6 11,970
8. No. Iowa 1,940 3 5,820
9. Arizona 1,900 5 9,502
10. Stanford 1,696 5 8,478
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 wideweb (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 to earn its second win of the season this week after dropping a pair of matches at home last week. This week, the Broncos take on Gonzaga on Sept. 26 at home before starting WAC play. On Sept. 28, the 12-1 Bulldogs of Fresno head to Boise to take on the Broncos.
Fresno State Senior middle blocker Java Johnson guided the Bulldogs to a 3-0 record,
which included a five-game victory over No. 26 University of San Diego, and helped the
Bulldogs capture the quadrangular title with a 3-0 mark. As one of the top four blockers in quadrangular play, Johnson also finished among the top 10 in kills with a 3.08 kill per game average. Johnson led the Bulldogs in kills per game, hitting efficiency and block solos while second in block assists (11), total blocks (14) and blocks. She also had a career-high 17 kills and seven digs versus San Diego.
Hawaii Hawaii is currently 10-0 and have lost just two games during the season. The Rainbow Wahine have now won 15-straight games dating back to their Sept. 7 match with Washington . Freshman Susie Boogaard had her best week yet, averaging 4.00 kpg and hitting .577 in four games of play. During the week, the Rainbow Wahine defeated the Samorodok Club team from Russia 31-29, 30-21, 28-30 and 30-26 on Tuesday, Sept. 17, in an exhibition match. Although the numbers don't count, Lily Kahumoku had 26 kills,Willoughby had 25 kills and 13 digs and Melissa Villaroman had 25 digs.
Louisiana Tech Tech won its first tournament in nine years at Southern Miss last week. This comes after finishing second the last two weekends. Louisiana Tech is off to its best start since 1994 with a 11-5 start. The Lady Techsters have surpassed their winning total of the last two season just 15 games into the season. Laura Osterhaus posted a career- high 14 kills in the championship game versus Southern Mississippi. In the tournament, Tech went 2-1 versus Conference USA opponents and 2-0 versus Sun Belt opponents.
Nevada The Wolf Pack had their nine match win streak come to an end when they fell 3-1 to Cincinnati at the Colorado State Coors Classic last weekend. In the Cincinnati match Nevada extended its games won streak to 26 after claiming game one 30-28 but the Bearcats ended the streak with a 34-32 win in game two. The Pack started a new streak sweeping Gonzaga in the very next match. Also at the Coors Classic, the Wolf Pack knocked off No. 25 Colorado State, 3-0. It was the first time since 1997 that the Rams had been swept at home at Moby Arena. Michelle More and Laura Wooley were both named to the all-tournament team with More earning MVP honors. It was fourth consecutive weekend that More has been named to an all-tournament team and third-straight weekend that she earned MVPhonors.
Rice Rice finished second at the Georgia Invitational one week after winning its first tournament since 1999. The Lady Owls were led by sophomore Rebeca Pazo and senior Briana Cook who both earned all-tournament honors. It was the first such honor for Cook this season. The Houston native averagaed 1.82 kills per game, seeing action in all three matches for Rice. Four Lady Owls scored double-digit kills against Liberty, led by Pazo's 22. Setter Rebekah Neal notched a personal-best 65 assists, and hit the court for 12 digs for her fifth double-double on the year, in the 3-1 win over Liberty. She was responsible for three aces. Head Coach Julio Morales enters this week needing one win to reach the 100 mark as Rice head coach.
San Jose State The Spartans look to break their two match losing streak this week with one road match and one home match. On Sept. 27 San Jose State faces instate foe Saint Mary's. The Spartans will then travel home to face Santa Clara on Sept. 28. San Jose State will look to Stephanie Pascucci and Kimberly Noble to break the streak. Both Pascucci (3.79 kpg)and Noble (3.78 kpg) are among the leaders in the WAC in kills per game.
SMU Senior Kristen Peterson leads the WAC in blocks with a 4.19 blocks per game average. Freshman Jessica Mihm is also among the leaders in the WAC. Mihn is second in the WAC in assists per game (12.13 apg). Peterson and Mihm look to get the Mustangs back on track as WAC play begins. SMU travels to Eastern Division rival Louisiana Tech on Sept. 27.
UTEP UTEP senior Sarah Davis recorded a career-high 24 digs against Northern Arizona. She started at Libero for the first time this season, after playing defensive specialist in UTEP's first nine matches of the season. Her previous career best for digs came against San Jose State on Nov. 10, 2000. UTEP out-blocked Northern Arizona, 11-10, last Friday, marking the first time the Miners had out-blocked its opponent in 16 matches and just the third time in the last 24 matches.
Tulsa The Golden Hurricane is still off to its best start in school history at 12-2, after splitting two matches at the Islander Classic. Tulsa's win total passes last season's 9-15 record. Tulsa added 18 more service aces to its WAC leading total of 145. Tulsa is averaging 2.96 aces per game. The school record for aces in a season is 206 in the 1991 season. That season, the Hurricane averaged 1.77 aces per game.
TOURNAMENT TAKERS So far this season, WAC schools have captu/red 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.
The WAC also added to its all-tournament honorees. The following players have been named to all-tournament teams:
Megan Tranter , BS Montana Invitational
Carrie Hartt, FS Fresno State Invitational
Pioneer Classic*
Christy Burnett, FS Fresno State Invitational
Java Johnson, FS W&M Hi-IQ Tournament
Fresno State Invitational
Pioneer Classic
Kristen Fenton, FS W&M Hi-IQ Tournament
Fresno State Invitational
Kim Willoughby, UH Hawaiian Airlines Classic*
Aston Imua Wahine Classic*
Lauren Duggins, UH Hawaiian Airlines Classic
Lily Kahumoku, UH Hawaiian Airlines Classic
Aston Imua Wahine Classic
Margaret Vakasausau, UH Aston Imua Wahine Classic
Cristine Sant'Anna, LT Sugar Bowl VB Classic
Lia Mora, LT Lamar Tournament
Sugar Bowl VB Classic
Mean Green Classic
Brianna Sibley, LT Mean Green Classic
Michelle More, UN WSU Tournament
SBC Invitational*
Nevada Invitational*
Coors Classic*
Jill Couwenhoven, UN WSU Tournament
SBC Invitational
Nevada Invitational
Kellie Burton, UN Sands Regency/SBC Invitational
Salaia Salavea, UN Nevada Invitational
Laura Wooley, Nevada Coors Clasic
Rebeca Pazo, Rice Rice Invitational
Lady Vol Classic*
Georgia Invitaional
Rebecca Kainz, RU Lady Vol Classic
Briana Cook, Rice Georgia Invitaional
Kristina Hoban, Rice Rice Invitational
S.Pascucci, SJSU California Tournament
Kimberly Noble, SJSU California Tournament
Stanford Tournament
TCU Invitational
Fran Pozzi, SJSU TCU Invitational
Jessica Mihm, SMU Best Western Invitational
Spring Hill Tournament
Leslie Lasiter, SMU Spring Hill Tournament
Lobo Invitaional
Kristen Peterson, SMU SMU Invitational
Nathalia Araujo, Tulsa GMC Invite
Dana Weddle, Tulsa White Eagle Tournament
GMC Invite
Vanessa Thon, Tulsa White Eagle Tournament
GMC Invite
J. Abbruzzese, UTEP Longhorn Classic
Borderland Invitational
Megan Brock, UTEP Borderland Invitational
*Most Outstanding/Valuable Player