Volleyball hopes to upset Waves
By Josh Griffin
The Santa Clara volleyball team has reached new heights in the 2002 season, as they find themselves with a 22-3 overall record, and ranked 11th nationally, their highest ever national ranking. However, if they hope to vault into the top 10 and establish themselves as the dominant team in the West Coast Conference, the team must turn in an impressive performance against Pepperdine this Friday night in Malibu, Calif.
This is easier said than done, as Pepperdine has long been a nemesis to Santa Clara, having taken the last three matches. In their most recent match on Oct. 19, the Waves made quick work of the Broncos in the Leavey Center, as 1,021 fans saw Pepperdine cruise to a convincing three game win.
While Pepperdine's 30-25, 30-20 and 30-21 game scores may appear lopsided, the Broncos do not necessarily view their looming opponent as indomitable or flawless.
"We watched film of that match [Monday], and we realized that we didn't play as bad as we though we had," said junior middle blocker Becky Biniek.
Regardless of the level of play in their last match, the Broncos must step up Friday if they hope to crack the 2002 top 10.
Pepperdine is a well-established powerhouse that receives regular praise on the national level and currently holds status as a volleyball program that Santa Clara hopes to achieve in coming years.
"Pepperdine has always had a very talented squad," said senior defensive specialist Cindy Hirsch. "In addition, they have been known to have a lot of height which our team has definitely been lacking over the years. However, I feel that our team this year matches up with them better than any of the previous year."
Biniek added, "They always have a big, strong team on the other side of the net and they are without a doubt our biggest conference challenge. There's definitely something about them, but we are excited to play them again."
With a victory Friday, Santa Clara would likely clinch a share of the WCC Championship, and could finally force Pepperdine to move over and cozy up atop the pedestal of WCC volleyball dominance.
To do this, the team will have to overcome a three game losing streak at the hands of the Waves, which the Broncos feel can be broken with several strategic adjustments.
"This week we've been going over more plays specific to Pepperdine," said junior middle blocker and All-American candidate Becky Potter. "We've worked on defense and addressing their top two players."
The team's ability to defend the physical game of Pepperdine will be paramount in the upset attempt.
"We are focusing on defending the big, power hitters," said Cindy Hirsch. "We spend a lot of time going over where each player on their team like to hit the ball so when we are in the game we know exactly where we need to be."
Most important, however, may be the ability to keep the Waves off balance, and not allow them to run away at the beginning of the match.
"What really hurt us [in the last game] was allowing them to go for big runs of points and just not being able to stop them," said Biniek.
Regardless of approach or practice, a win on Friday will in all likelihood launch the Broncos into the top 10 for the first time in school history, a goal that has been prominently associated with the program for the last four years.
"Since I've been here at Santa Clara one of the main goals was to get this volleyball program in the top 10 and establish a new powerhouse," said senior libero Chrissy Hirsch. "I feel that with a win on Friday night, we are one step closer to doing just that."