Headed for the big dance

Steve Virgen

With a potent middle attack, sound passing and effective hitting from

the outside, the UC Irvine women’s volleyball team has risen through

the ranks and posted its best season in the program’s history.

But ask UCI Coach Charlie Brande the main reason for his

Anteaters’ maturation and berth into the NCAA tournament and he could

sum it up in one word.

Confidence.

“We’re playing with a lot of confidence right now,” Brande said.

“The [statistics] show that we are performing well and they are aware

of their abilities to play at a high level.”

The Anteaters (23-9) plan to maintain their swagger as they face

Missouri (19-10) in the first round of the NCAA tournament today at

5:30 p.m. at UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion. UCI, making its first NCAA

tournament appearance since 1988, has won seven of it last eight

matches, including four in a row to close out the regular season.

Brande’s squad has also built momentum from achieving accolades of

historic proportions.

With 23 victories, the Anteaters set a school-record for wins in a

season. The ‘Eaters also posted its highest finish in the Big West

Conference, tying for second with a 12-6 record. Their marquee

player, junior outside hitter Kelly Wing, became the school’s career

leader in kills with 1,600.

Two years ago, UCI finished the season with a 4-23 record. Last

year, the Anteaters were disappointed, to say the least, that their

19-11 mark was not enough to gain an NCAA tournament berth. In 2003,

they claim they are not satisfied with merely making it to the

64-team NCAA tourney.

“They are very excited, yet quietly confident,” said Brande, who

is in his fourth season at the helm. “They are very determined to

perform at the highest level they can. Whoever can play the sharpest

will play Saturday night.”

Today’s winner will face the victor of the UCLA --University of

San Diego match. In its attempt to advance to the second round, UCI

will depend on Wing, and most assuredly on junior setter Ashlie Hain.

With balance from the outside and the middle, Hain is usually the one

who directs which area of attack will be the most effective. She is

sixth in nation in assists average, 13.74 per game. She was first in

the Big West and earned first-team all-conference honors, along with

Wing and middle blocker Sami Cash, a junior. Dana Kurzbard, also a

junior, earned honorable mention recognition.

Brande thought the Big West coaches missed out one selection from

UCI, Brenda Waterman, the team’s lone senior. Waterman, a Newport

Harbor High product, led the team in digs, 4.52 per game. She was

also critical in regard to passing, Brande said.

“To not vote Brenda [for all-conference] is an injustice,” Brande

said.

The Anteaters also feature sophomore outside hitter Terbrie

Taylor, who is third on the team in kills, 3.05 per game.

Missouri, which will be making its fourth consecutive appearance

in the NCAA tournament, is led by first-team All-Big 12 honorees

Lindsey Hunter, a setter who led the conference with 12.28 assists

per game, and Shen Danru, a 5-foot-11 outside hitter who leads the

team in kills, aces and digs per game. Jessica Vander Kooi, a 6-2

outside hitter and the Big 12 Freshman of the Year, and 6-5 sophomore

outside hitter Lindsey Noll are also important for fourth-year coach

Susan Kreklow. Missouri finished sixth in the Big 12.

Last year, the Tigers recorded their first postseason win in

school history by defeating Northwestern in the first round of last

year’s NCAA tourney. They lost in the second round.

The last time UCI reached the NCAA tourney it lost in five games

to Long Beach State in the first round.