Hawaii could get challenged for WAC crown

By Darrell Copeland

Boise State
Head Coach: Scott Sandel (47-71 overall, 7-48 with team)
2003 Record: 6-24, 1-12 Western Athletic Conference/5th West
2003 Postseason: N/A
Series vs. Fresno State: FS leads 10-0
Returning starters: 5 (Mindy Bennett, Sr; Cameron Flunder, So; Sarah Johnson, So; Christina Melvin, So; Kelsey Young, Sr)
Broncos’ weapon: Flunder, MB
Outlook: In the past, errors and mental mistakes have killed the Broncos. A 1-12 record last season represents a lack of discipline and fundamentals. But, five starters return and the number of errors they made last season looks to have decreased for this season. The Broncos’ attack will likely come from many different players, leaving the potential for confused opponents and some upset victories. Still, don’t look for the Broncos to make too much noise in the WAC season.

Fresno State
Head Coach: Lindy Vivas (248-154, 99-70)
2003 Record: 21-7, 10-3/2nd West
2003 Postseason: N/A
Returning starters: 4 (Tiffany Bishop, Sr; Kristen Fenton, Sr; Robyn Keune, Jr; Tuli Peters, So)
Bulldogs’ weapon: Fenton, OH
Outlook: With Hawaii returning only one starter, this could be Fresno State’s best chance to earn a WAC championship. The Bulldogs return a host of talent as well as gain a few new talented faces. The sooner they bond and realize their potential, the sooner the wins will come. The tendency has been to play to the level of the opponent and lose mental focus. If the Bulldogs can play with fire every point, follow Fenton’s leadership and play fundamentally sound volleyball, this team should make the postseason—and advance.

Hawaii
Head Coach: Dave Shoji (840-149-1)
2003 Record: 36-2, 13-0/1st West
2003 Postseason: 4-1 (National Semifinals)
Series vs. Fresno State: UH leads 32-0
Returning starters: 1 (Kanoe Kamana’o, So)
Rainbow Wahine’s weapon: Kamana’o, S
Outlook: After a national semifinals appearance last season and winning every WAC championship since they joined the conference, there is no reason to believe the Rainbow Wahine will fall off now. Hawaii has already defeated three top-20 teams this season, including thenthird-ranked UCLA. Even with the return of only one starter, the Rainbow Wahine has shown no reason why it can’t win another WAC title. Until another WAC foe can prove it deserves, the Rainbow Wahine will continue to be the favorite to win the conference—and make it tough for any of the other deserving WAC teams to make it to the postseason.

Louisiana Tech
Head Coach: Heather Mazeitis (43-51)
2003 Record: 16-15, 4-9/3rd East
2003 Postseason: N/A
Series vs. Fresno State: FS leads 3-0
Returning starters: 3 (Ambra Hayes, So; Megan Bush, Sr; Joy Okpa, Sr)
Lady Techster’s weapon: Okpa, MB
Outlook: La Tech is set at middle blocker with Hayes and Okpa, but aside from that, any sort of efficient attack will be hard to come by. If opponents key on the two, La Tech will be desperate to find someone else to carry the load. That said, the Lady Techsters have been tough at home and play solid defense, allowing opponents little room for error. If teams can execute, La Tech could have a tough time.


Nevada
Head Coach: Devin Scruggs (119-84)
2003 Record: 16-15, 7-6/3rd West
2003 Postseason: N/A
Series vs. Fresno State: FS leads 16-6
Returning starters: 6 (Karen Adams, Sr; Tristin Adams, So; Kellie Burton, Sr; Christine Harms, Jr; Salaia Salave’a, Jr; Carly Sorensen, So)
Wolfpack’s weapon: Salave’a, MB
Outlook: Salave’a is a solid talent for the Wolfpack. If Nevada uses her in the right fashion, a balanced attack could develop, leading to some potential key victories. Nevada also returns all six starters, giving the Wolfpack experience and cohesiveness, likely eliminating any sort of growing pains. A similar finish to 2003 could be in order, but so could a five-to-seven match swing either way.



Rice
Head Coach: Genny Volpe (first season)
2003 Record: 19-10, 9-4/2nd East
2003 Postseason: N/A
Series vs. Fresno State: FS leads 7-3
Returning starters: 5 (Lindsay Carter, Sr; Catherine DuPont, Sr; Kristina Hoban, Jr; Rebecca Kainz, Sr; Rebeca Pazo, Sr)
Owls’ weapon: Pazo, OH
Outlook: The highly athletic, fly-below-the-radar Pazo can be devastating to opposing teams. The senior can attack, dig, and jump out of the gym. Pazo, one of the nation’s most underrated players, can single-handedly take over a match. With four other starters accompanying Pazo, Rice will make some noise in the WAC race.

San Jose State
Head Coach: Craig Choate (227-214, 198-149)
2003 Record: 10-20, 6-7/4th West
2003 Postseason: N/A
Series vs. Fresno State: SJSU leads 40-20
Returning starters: 2 (Carrie Nash, Sr; Dana Rudd, Sr)
Spartans’ weapon: Nash, OH
Outlook: Jennifer Senftleben might even be more feared than Nash. Nash is usually good for a double-double, but Senft-leben is a freshman who can create problems for just about any team on the other side of the net. The 5-foot-6 Nash can be blocked, but she is an intelligent hitter and can sometimes surprise teams. Minus these two, San Jose State is in a world of trouble. With them, another 2003-like season is in order.


SMU
Head Coach: Lisa Seifert (119-127)
2003 Record: 23-7, 11-2/1st East
2003 Postseason: N/A
Series vs. Fresno State: FS leads 9-1
Returning starters: 5 (Beth Karasek, Sr; Kelly Larkan, Jr; Jessica Mihm, Jr; Jacky Niederstadt, Sr; Ashley Zener, Jr)
Mustangs’ weapon: Karasek, OH
Outlook: SMU has always posed a problem for WAC opponents, especially at home. So far, Fresno State has been able to avoid the “SMU factor” and has controlled the series. SMU will likely be one of two things this season: a spoiler for WAC teams looking to contend, or a contender themselves looking to find a way into the postseason .


Tulsa
Head Coach: Matt Sonnichsen (81-92)
2003 Record: 11-17, 2-11/T4th East
2003 Postseason: N/A
Series vs. Fresno State: FS leads 8-1
Returning starters: 4 (Kristin Bailey, Sr; Lindsay Eaves, Sr; Vanessa Thon, Sr; Dana Weddle, Sr)
Golden Hurricane’s weapon: Eaves, MB
Outlook: Tulsa’s height could pose a problem for some WAC teams. Seven of Tulsa’s 14 players stand at least 6 feet tall. Another trend for the Golden Hurricane is its stock of Brazilian-born players, who will likely greatly benefit Tulsa’s attack and blocking. The Golden Hurricane looks to have made some strides from last season, potentially ready to up its standing in the WAC’s East division.


Texas El-Paso
Head Coach: Scott Swanson (19-36)
2003 Record: 8-22, 2-11/T4th East
2003 Postseason: N/A
Series vs. Fresno State: FS leads 16-1
Returning starters: 4 (Heather Brisnahan, Jr; Jazmine Ernriquez, So; Kari Stacy, Jr; Cecilla Moreno, Sr)
Miners’ weapon: Stacy, OH
Outlook: Recently, UTEP has been a team that is just “there.” Aside from Stacy, the Miners don’t seem to have much up their sleeve. The Miners will have to stack up some out-of-conference victories to make their overall record look better before going through the WAC. Unless a surprise talent can develop for UTEP, another lowly season should be in order.