OPPONENTS
Malibu, Calif.
(pop. 12,575)
Pepperdine: The Waves advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 for the sixth time in school history, defeating BYU and USC before losing to eventual final-four team Santa Clara, 30-28, 30-17, 30-14.
Pepperdine
Aug. 25 & 26
7 p.m.
Stan Sheriff Center
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Pepperdine, the West Coast Conference runner-up (10-6), returns first-team All-WCC blocker Sophia Milo (.461, 1.39 bpg, 3.67 kpg). Milo and returning senior libero/defensive specialist Kekai Crabbe (Kamehameha) trained this summer with the U.S. A2 National Team. Also back is junior middle Lecca Roberts (Seabury Hall), All-WCC honorable mention.
Prepvolleyball.com ranked Pepperdine's incoming freshman class as No. 7 in the nation and the best among the eight-team WCC. The class includes three true freshmen in setter Kiah Fiers (Palos Verdes Estates, Calif.), outside hitter Rachel Lumsden (Brea, Calif.) and outside hitter/middle blocker Kayla Walker (Kaysville, Utah).
Did you know?: Pepperdine was ranked No. 10 on Sports Illustrated All-Sports rankings for the 2006 spring season. Led by the NCAA champion men's tennis team, Pepperdine earned 76 points as all six spring sports contributed to the top-10 listing.
The Princeton Review ranked Pepperdine as No. 1 on the list of colleges with "Dorms Like Palaces." Pepperdine ranked in the top five for "Beautiful Campus."
If you go... The original "Surf City USA" is home to a Duke's restaurant as well as Calamigos, a 127-acre ranch situated in the Malibu Mountains that specializes in "Paniolo BBQs and authentic Hawaiian Luaus." It also has "Pipi'o Paniolo" (mechanical bull) upon event request.
No U-Turn
Long Beach, Calif.: pop. 490,166
She came to play softball. She ended up being a utility player with her eye on a middle blocking spot.
"There's a lot of competition out there, just like every season," said Caroline Blood, sitting 4 or 5 on the depth chart. "I've just been working my butt off to be ready. We have players with injuries, so I've got to ready at all times in case they need me. I enjoy being part of this team.
"Final four! We're doing it."
If you go... In-N-Out Burger. Long Beach harbor. Cruise Pacific Coast Hwy.
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Gainesville, Fla.
(pop. 117,182)
FLORIDA: The Gators lost only two players from the team that went to the elite eight for the 12th time in 15 years.
Florida
Sept. 1
7 p.m.
Stan Sheriff Center
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Back are five starters, led by All-America juniors Angie McGinnis (setter) and Kisya Killingsworth (middle).
The 15-time defending SEC champion was swept in the Omaha Regional final by then-No. 1 Nebraska in front of an NCAA-record 15,119 fans
Did you know?: Florida is one of six teams with a series edge over UH (3-2). The others are Nebraska (6-5), Penn State (3-0), Wisconsin (2-1), Michigan State (1-0) and Missouri (1-0).
If you go... See Regional information, Page 31.
Boulder, Colo.
(pop. 94,673)
COLORADO: The Buffaloes return four starters and 10 letterwinners from the team that was eliminated in the first round of the NCAA tournament by Colorado State for the second straight year.
Colorado
Sept. 2
7 p.m.
Stan Sheriff Center
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Senior setter Ashley Nu'u, a preseason All-Big 12 selection, trained with the U.S. A2 team over the summer. She is fifth on the CU career assist chart at 2,963.
Did you know?: Buffaloes coach Pi'i Aiu, a Kauai native, is a 1981 Kamehameha Schools graduate. He is in his 10th season (163-104) and a member of the AVCA All-America selection committee.
If you go... The setting for the sitcom "Mork & Mindy," Boulder hosts the Halloween Nude Pumpkin Run.
Slower Traffic Move to Right
Colorado Springs, Colo.: pop. 360,890
Tara Hittle has one speed: fast. But the laid-back pace of Hawaii also suits the versatile junior hitter.
"I love it here," she said. "I miss the seasons and my family, but I've made a new family. As a player, you want to find a place that fits you. And this does.
"I have very positive thoughts about this season. We're working for the same goal. We're going to be good."
If you go... Eat at Wild Wings, snowboard at Crested Butte, enjoy a white Christmas.
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Westwood, Calif.
(pop. 47,844)
UCLA: The Bruins have five starters back from the Sweet 16 team eliminated by Nebraska, including senior All-America middle Nana Meriwether and Pac-10 all-freshman team setter Nellie Spicer.
UCLA
Sept. 3
5 p.m.
Stan Sheriff Center
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Did you know?: UCLA has won a record 99 NCAA championships. The Bruins have played the Wahine 62 times, the most of any opponent. Hawaii leads the series 34-28.
If you go... L.A. is the world's most car-populated metropolis (1 car per 1.8 persons). Goldie Hawn's line from the 1972 movie "Butterflies Are Free" is truer now than it ever was: "I would have gone to UCLA, but I couldn't find a parking place."
Road Work Ahead
Westwood, Calif.: pop. 47,844
Born to be a Bruin. There's no way getting around that for new assistant coach Mike Sealy. He was born at the UCLA Medical Center, was an All-America setter for the Bruins and spent the past four seasons as an assistant at UCLA.
But Sealy has quickly turned green and white and likes what he sees with the Wahine. "We have amazing talent this year, talent behind the talent," he said.
If you go... Must see the Rose Bowl and Sunset Rec Center in spring. Eat at Rubio's, famous for fish tacos.
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