GARRETT WAIT
Sports Editor
The Pepperdine women’s volleyball team was victim to high expectations the past season. This year, the women are going to stay focused on the here and now, an idea that has some team members thinking they can go farther than last year.
The Waves began the 2004 campaign ranked ninth in the nation and brought back several key players from a team that went deep in the postseason. Last season’s team crumbled under the pressure placed on them, finishing 10-15 overall and missing the postseason for the first time since 1996.
This past summer, witnessing their male counterparts win a National Championship, which has motivated them to do much better than the past season, according to junior middle blocker Sophia Milo.
“I think (the guys winning) makes it more of a reality,” Milo said. “You realize how close it can hit to home. It’s a dream for all of us to be at the final four or in that final game.”
This year’s team is led by Milo and sophomore Lecca Roberts in the middle and a highly touted group of seniors who came in as the seventh best freshman class in the nation. The setter, Melissa Mehlhorn, and outside hitter Katy Daly, are two leaders on the floor, while outside hitter Breegan Mulligan should be back to 100 percent after shoulder surgery last season. Junior Kekai Crabbe returns at the libero position after posting three digs per game last season.
Milo spent much of her summer with the U.S. national team training in Colorado and playing in an international tournament in Switzerland. She said her time with Team USA has honed her game and her leadership skills.
“Colorado was a good learning experience,” Milo said. “Seeing different players, different coaches and different attitudes opened my eyes to a lot of things both physically and mentally. It was good to go through that to see how much work it takes at the top level. Hopefully I can apply it to a more leadership role on our team.”
This year’s team begins the season ranked 25th in the nation, according to the American Volleyball Coaches Association preseason poll. Milo said the lower ranking motivates the team to work harder to regain the national prominence they once had.
“I think it’s a good start for us because I think we would rather start at the bottom and work to the top,” Milo said. “It’s good for us to look at how much work we have in front and work we have to accomplish what we want to accomplish.”
Morale hasn’t left the team since their disappointing season last year. If anything, the spirits are high and so are the expectations. Milo, in particular, can’t wait to begin the season and see how well this team can play.
“I’m excited for the season to start,” she said. “I’m excited to see the things we’re going to do. I think we have a lot of potential and it’s going to be exciting to see where we can go with it.”
The team begins its season by hosting University of Northern Iowa Friday at 7:30 p.m. in Firestone Fieldhouse.
08-29-2005
