Bruins hope to rectify former inconsistencies

Friday, October 17, 1997

Bruins hope to rectify former inconsistencies

PREVIEW: Volleyball team must end USC’s winning streak to regain
standings

By Jennifer Kollenborn

Daily Bruin Staff

Going into tonight’s Pac-10 match of the week, the No. 21 UCLA
women’s volleyball team covets a blue and gold lucky charm as it
aims to beat No. 5 USC.

The Bruins’ eternal arch-rival, USC comes into tonight’s match
with a strong record (6-2 in the Pacific 10 conference, 13-2
overall), ranking the Women of Troy second in the Pac-10 just
behind No. 1 Stanford.

USC is currently on a four-game winning streak while UCLA’s
recent loss to No. 7 UC Santa Barbara ends its winnings. UCLA’s
lack of consistency has been a major factor in its season’s ups and
downs. So far, the Bruins (4-4, 9-5 overall) have failed to prove
that they are among the leaders in the Pac 10.

UCLA has lost to all of the top teams in the conference,
including No. 5 Arizona, No. 4 Washington, No. 3 Washington State,
and No. 1 Stanford. In contrast, USC prevailed against Washington
as well as Arizona.

All of the Trojans’ victories against opposing teams do not
prove the Bruins’ inability to contest with USC in the volleyball
arena tonight in Pauley Pavilion. The fact that UCLA’s raw talent
has not yet spoken for itself when the Bruins are already going
into their 16th game for the 1997 season, one has to wonder where
the rifts lie.

"Kara Milling made some errors against (Santa Barbara), which
she normally does not do," head coach Andy Banachowski said. "I am
pleased with the team’s performance, but we are still not winning
crucial points which is hurting our outcome."

UCLA currently leads the Pac-10 conference in three major
statistical categories – kills (18.67), digs (16.98), and assists
(17.45). The Bruins can thank the following players for its
national recognition: national team member and senior outside
hitter, Kara Milling, who is currently third in the nation for
kills at a 5.85 kill-per-game average. Senior setter Kim Coleman
leads the nation with a 15.28 assist average. Middle-blocker Tamika
Johnson, despite tendonitis in her knees, recently returned to the
Bruin lineup against San Diego State hitting .563.

The return of Johnson has added depth to UCLA’s line-up, aiding
in the Bruins’ improved passing and overall team chemistry.

"One of the big things that has helped us this week is that
Tamika Johnson has been able to play in all three matches and allow
us to get Tanisha Larkin back on the outside," Banachowski said.
"We play better with Johnson in the middle, and we will definitely
need to start this way against USC."

The Bruins will likely start Kim Coleman at setter, Kara Miller
at opposite hitter, Tanisha Larkin and Celeste Peterson as outside
hitters, and middle-blockers Amy Nihipali and Tamika Johnson.

On the opposite side of the court, USC boasts three juniors who
will lead their attack. Jasmina Marinkovic leads the Pac-10 in
hitting percentage at .475, Janice Mounts ranks second in the
Pac-10 in assists, and Jennifer Kessy is second in the conference
with 286 kills.

With USC’s talented squad, UCLA will have to be ready for
action. Perhaps the Bruins will muster up their stored up animosity
toward their cross-town rival, and parlay it to a stellar
performance on Pauley’s stage tonight.PATRICK LAM / Daily Bruin

Tanisha Larkin spikes the ball against UC Berkeley in a game
earlier this month.