Bruins look to bounce back against Arizona teams

Published: Friday, November 1, 1996

Friday, November 1, 1996

W. VOLLEYBALL:

Plagued by injuries, UCLA has lost five of seven matchesBy John Kelly

Daily Bruin Contributor

"Don't cry for me Argentina ... The truth is I never left you ... All through my wild days ... my mad existence ... you kept your promise ... Don't keep your distance."

These lyrics, from Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Evita," can apply to the current plight of the UCLA women's volleyball team. Battered, bruised and apparently on their way down after an exhibition loss to Nittaidai University, the No. 18 Bruins (13-8, 5-5 in the Pac-10) are in the middle of a wild run they will try to snap this weekend.

UCLA will come back home to their fans and attempt to avenge themselves as they take on Arizona and Arizona State this weekend at Pauley Pavilion.

Arizona State (8-9, 3-8 in the Pac-10) challenged the Bruins in Tempe earlier in October. The match came down to an 8-8 tie in the fifth game until UCLA finally pulled out the victory with a five-point run. Elizabeth Bachman and Tanisha Larkin played crucial roles in stopping the Sun Devils.

"The last time we ended up playing them it was a pretty sloppy match," UCLA head coach Andy Banachowski said. "I don't think either team played very well."

Since then, the several injured Bruins have returned to the team. Among them were Kara Milling and Melissa Wendt, a pair of hitters who are likely to have an impact against Arizona State.

"I think we match up against them well," Banachowski said. "We need to play real disciplined against them with our defense and be able to dig some balls."

The Bruins are likely to face a tougher test of resilience against the Wildcats, however. The Arizona squad ( 12-7, 3-6 Pac-10) upset the Bruins in a five-game match in Tucson earlier in the season.

"(The Wildcats) have some big, strong hitters. We need to score some points in transition," Banachowski said.

The Bruins began their dramatic skid after that game, losing five of seven contests. Despite being hammered, UCLA remains in the USA Today/AVCA coaches poll. However, they have the worst record of any team in the group.

The Bruins hope to change that trend in Pauley at noon Sunday.

AARON TOUT

Tanisha Larkin will go up against the Arizona schools this weekend at Pauley Pavillion.