Women’s volleyball team, hoping for first win against Huskies since 2006, hosts Washington schools this weekend
Junior setter Lauren Van Orden, seen here against Oregon State on Oct. 22, and No. 11 UCLA host No. 7 Washington and Washington State this weekend.
WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL
Washington
Today, 7 p.m.
Pauley Pavilion
Watch live video at uclabruins.com
Washington State
Sunday, 1 p.m.
Pauley Pavilion
Watch live video at uclabruins.com
Coming off of their first two-win weekend in Pac-10 play this season, No. 11 UCLA takes on Washington and Washington State.
By Steve breazeale
Oct. 29, 2010 12:24 a.m.
The last time the UCLA women’s volleyball team faced the Washington schools, it was taxed both mentally and physically.
“(The match against Washington on Oct. 2) was our worst match of the year. It was a tough travel day,” coach Mike Sealy said. “That’s no excuse, but we didn’t have much time to prep. And we just didn’t play well.”
While the Bruins swept Washington State (6-13, 0-9 Pac-10) in three sets Oct. 1, Washington (17-3, 6-3) handed them a three-set defeat the next day.
When No. 11 UCLA (15-5, 5-4) takes the court to battle No. 7 Washington tonight, rest and preparation should not be an issue. The Bruins are wrapping up a two-week homestand that began with a pair of wins Friday and Saturday against Oregon State and then-No. 16 Oregon, respectively.
Over the past few years, the Huskies have proven to be the Bruins’ kryptonite, consistently standing in their way and handing them defeat after defeat. UCLA has not won a match against Washington since the 2006 season.
“It’s tough; some of the seniors have never beat Washington since they’ve been here. So we’re definitely trying to break that streak,” junior setter Lauren Van Orden said. “I think we are really focusing on attacking them from our side instead of letting them attack us.”
This time around, the Bruins are hoping their offense will have a different look.
Sophomore opposite Rachael Kidder is having a breakout year and has become a consistent offensive weapon. Last weekend, against the Oregon schools, she had 33 total kills during the two matches.
But again, history is not on the Bruins’ side. Kidder was held to just four kills the last time she saw the Husky defense. The Bruins’ defense has been earning them wins this season. Digging as many balls as they can and extending rallies have been strengths, but with contributions from the likes of Kidder and freshman outside hitter Kelly Reeves, the offense has now become the main focal point.
“We don’t rely on just one person,” Reeves said. “We all do some great stuff, so it’s nice to have different types of weapons to use out there.”
On Sunday, the Bruins will face a Washington State team that is in search of its first Pac-10 victory.
Van Orden stressed that the team is focusing more on Washington, but Sealy is not about to let his guard down on the win-less Pac-10 team.
“I’m not buying into the thought that they’re a bad team,” Sealy said. “They were a (playoff) team last year, and they have a solid lineup.”
While some of the Bruins may use the fact that Washington beat them down last time for motivation, Reeves is taking it one step further.
“We’re going to redeem ourselves, I think. We’re out to get them. We haven’t beat them in a while, so the time has come,” Reeves said. “I think we’re due for a W over U-Dub.”
