Pac-10 Volleyball Preview

Arizona State Sun Devils

Current record/ranking: 3-4 (un-ranked)

Big wins/losses: lost to No. 17 Loyola Marymount and No. 13 Hawaii

1997 record: 13-16, 4-14 (eighth)

Head coach: Patti Snyder-Park (151-118 in 10 years)

Stars: S Jolynn Faatulu, Jr. (11.34 apg), OH Amanda Burbridge, So. (2.28 kpg, 2.08 dpg), MB Laura Hibsman (2.0 kpg)

Coach's comments: "We're really looking forward to getting back to the postseason. We really like the direction this squad is taking. We will be one of the more experienced teams in the league and hopefully we can capitalize on that."

Record vs. Arizona: 30-23 (0-2 in '97)

Game dates vs. Arizona: In Tempe Oct. 16, in Tucson Nov. 13

Prediction: ASU returns four starters and should improve from a year ago. The Sun Devils' weakness is kills (they finished 10th in the conference in '97), but they have good experience and depth to finish higher this season.

Oregon State Beavers

Current record/ranking: 8-1 (un-ranked)

Big wins/losses: defeated Xavier, lost to No. 4 Nebraska

1997 record: 14-17/ 5-13 (seventh)

Head coach: Jeff Mozzochi (91-77 in six years)

Stars: MB Angie Shirley, So. (1.31 bpg), OH Krista Kinsman, So. (2.26 kpg)

Coach's comments: "We're going to be young. We have no seniors, but our sophomores played a lot of volleyball as freshmen last year. We need to mature a little and stay healthy. If we can do that, we'll be right there."

Record vs. Arizona: 10-15 (0-2 in '97)

Game dates vs. Arizona: In Corvallis Oct. 2, in Tucson Nov. 1

Prediction: Shirley and Kinsman were both named to the Pac-10 All-Freshmen team last season and are the core of the team. The Beavers allowed a league-high 16.9 kpg, and must change that if they are to make the postseason.

California Golden Bears

Current record/ranking: 3-5 (un-ranked)

Big wins/losses: defeated UC Irvine, lost at No. 2 Long Beach State and to No. 22 Florida State

1997 record: 8-19, 3-15 (ninth)

Head coach: Sue Woodstra (32-59 in four years)

Stars: OH Brook Coulter, Jr. (0.35 sapg), OH Alicia Perry, So. (2.61 kpg, 2.56 dpg)

Coach's comments: "We want to make the NCAA Tournament. And we realize that to make the NCAA Tournament, we have to compete hard in every match to move up in the Pac-10 standings."

Record vs. Arizona: 6-20 (0-2 in '97)

Game dates vs. Arizona: In Tucson Sept. 27, in Berkeley Oct. 23

Prediction: Cal also has a lot of inexperience but too many questions with few answers. Everybody needs to contribute to make the Golden Bears any kind of a contender.

Oregon Ducks

Current record/ranking: 4-5 (un-ranked)

Big wins/losses: defeated Missouri, lost at Minnesota

1997 record: 9-21, 1-17 (10th)

Head coach: Cathy Nelson (32-67 in three years)

Star: OH Madeline Ernst, Sr. (3.95 kpg)

Coach's comments: "One thing I can say for certain is that we will be more talented athletically than we have been in a long time. We have some young people who have the ability and the mindset to step in and play right away."

Record vs. Arizona: 7-20 (0-2 in '97)

Game dates vs. Arizona: In Eugene Oct. 4, in Tucson Oct. 30

Prediction: Losing five starters on the Pac-10's worst team last year is either a blessing or a curse. The Ducks will be better than last year but are too young to make any waves this year.

Bryan Rosenbaum can be reached via e-mail at Bryan.Rosenbaum@wildcat.arizona.edu.