WAHINE VOLLEYBALL
@ UTEP & Rice
First serve: Today, 2 p.m, UTEP's Memorial Gym. Tomorrow, 2 p.m., Rice's Autry Court.
Coaches: Hawaii, Dave Shoji 26th season (726-137, .841). UTEP, Revis Ward-Daggett, 8th year (119-119, .500). Rice, Julio Morales, 8th year (127-90, .585).
Season records: Hawaii (6-0 WAC, 16-0 overall); UTEP (1-5 WAC, 9-9 overall). Rice (3-4 WAC,14-7 overall).
Series record: UH leads series vs. UTEP, 4-0. UH leads Rice.series, 6-0.
Top players: Hawaii, .Kim Willoughby (6-0, Fr., RS, 2.77 kpg, 2.50 dpg, .262); Jennifer Carey (6-1, So. S, 12.29 apg, 2.42 dpg); Jessica Sudduth (6-2, Sr., LS, 3.29 kpg, 2.27 dpg); Lily Kahumoku (6-2, So., LS, 4.68 kpg,2.25 dpg), .334; Veronica Lima (6-2, Jr., MB, 2.93 kpg, 2.44 dpg, 1.00 bpg); Maja Gustin (6-2, Fr., MB, 2.57 kpg, 1.67 bpg, .360). UTEP, Veronica Acosta (5-9, Sr., S, 13.13 apg, .2.83 dpg, .386); Jennifer Abbruzzese (6-0, Fr., OH, 3.53 kpg, 2.44 dpg); Jacqui Nosan (6-2, Jr., MB, 3.26 kpg, .371). Rice, Karolina Zelinka (6-0, Sr., OH, 4.34 kpg, 3.48 dpg, .234); Nil Kalagoglu (5-8, Jr., S, 12.15 apg, 2.90 dpg).
Interesting facts: The Miners have dropped their last five conference matches. The Owls have lost their last two matches...The Wahine, who remain at No. 2 in the AVCA/USA Today poll but moved up to No. 1 in the Volleyball Magazine poll, are one of only two teams in the country still unbeaten. Nebraska is the other (17-0)...Hawaii has hit .300 or better in 10 matches this season...The Wahine lead the WAC with a .302 hitting mark and have four hitters among the top 15 in the conference.
Game keys: The Wahine must deal with the problem of jet lag over their next four matches. After spending this weekend in Texas, they will come back to Hawaii, tend to classes for two days, and then have to return to the Lone Star State to play Texas Christian (Oct. 27) and Southern Methodist (Oct. 28). Maintaining intensity against decided underdogs will be another key.
On the air: Broadcast live on KCCN (1420 AM)
RealAudio: 'Net broadcast Click Here
End quote: "We're trying to go very aggressive in everything we do, and it's taking a toll. But to be real, true champions, we're willing to take the beating to get where we have to go." -- Kim Willoughby.
Pat Bigold, Star-Bulletin
