Volleyball not likely to repeat as WCC champs
By Lisa Porter
The No. 15 women's volleyball team has a tough road ahead of them if they plan to repeat as West Coast Conference champions.
Their recent road trip to play the No. 20 San Diego Toreros, who lead the conference standings with an undefeated 7-0 mark, gave the Broncos another loss, bringing their conference record to 4-3. During last season's run to the national semifinal game, the Broncos finished conference play with just two losses.
The Broncos share second place with Loyola Marymount, Saint Mary's and Pepperdine, which shows that the competition amongst these teams, likely for second place as the Toreros have a three-game lead, is going to be challenging.
Before last Saturday's game, head coach Jon Wallace expressed optimism, despite playing a tough Toreros squad in their home gym.
"This weekend is definitely a big test, but it's not a must win. It's not going to hurt us, but it definitely puts us in the right spot and where we need to be for the second half," said Wallace.
Saturday's match against the Toreros ended in a 3-0 sweep. The Broncos are now home to begin the second half of the season with hopes of winning all of their games in order to have some chance at securing a second consecutive WCC championship.
One thing handicapping the Broncos this season is the amount of pressure the women feel to duplicate the team's unprecedented success of last year.
"The pressure really got to the girls, they feel like they should be playing better and when they don't, they kind of get down instead of just playing. They've kind of struggled with that," said Wallace.
Injuries have also caused the Broncos to reconsider their game. Junior setter Crystal Matich has been out this season with a stress fracture in her fourth metatarsal (a weight bearing bone in the foot).
With Matich's injury, freshman Lindsy Evans has stepped up and tried to take her place. However, even though Evans has been improving steadily, Wallace stressed that freshman inexperience can't replace Matich's already developed game.
"By no means is she doing a bad job. It's just that she's trying to fill the shoes of an All-American setter and she's only a freshman. As a freshman she's doing great, it's just that the other girls want more and I don't know if she can give them more yet," said Wallace.
Realistically, the second half should be easier for the Broncos, as they only have three away games out of their final eight conference contests.
Tonight, the Broncos look to turn the page against San Francisco, who they previously defeated on the road earlier in this season.
Tonight's game begins at 7 p.m. in the Leavey Center. The Broncos also play at home Saturday at 1 p.m. against Saint Mary's.
Contact Lisa Porter at (408) 551-1918 or lporter@scu.edu.