Volleyball Gears Up for Crosstown Rival UCLA
June 21, 1999 | Women's Volleyball
October 27, 1998
THIS WEEK - The No. 11 USC women's volleyball team (14-4 overall, 9-2 in the Pac-10, in second place) travels to UCLA (9-9, 8-3) on Friday (10/30) at 7 p.m.
SERIES NOTES - USC is 34-36 in the all-time series with UCLA. The Women of Troy have defeated the Bruins in the last four consecutive meetings.
LAST WEEK - The USC women's volleyball returned from the Oregon schools with two victories. On Thursday (10/22), the Women of Troy defeated Oregon, 15-13, 15-3, 15-7 in a conference match. Senior outside hitter Jennifer Kessy led USC with 22 kills and nine digs. Senior middle blocker Jasmina Marinkovic posted 14 kills and four blocks while sophomore outside hitter Antoinette Polk had 11 kills and 10 digs. In USC's win over Oregon on Sunday (10/25), 15-5, 15-8, 15-6, Marinkovic had 15 kills, six digs and three blocks. Kessy added 11 kills and seven digs and Polk contributed seven kills and 10 digs.
RANKINGS - USC is No. 11 in the lastest USA Today/AVCA Coaches Top 25 Poll. UCLA is 23rd.
NOTES - The Women of Troy have suffered three of their four losses on the road to top 10 teams (No. 2 Long Beach State, No. 7 Wisconsin and No. 9 Stanford). Senior middle blocker Alaina Kipps suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament and has undergone season-ending surgery. Kipps was the team's lead blocker in 1997. Freshman Jennifer Pahl has taken over the vacated middle blocker position. Senior setter Janice Mounts now boasts a 12.84 assist per game average, USC's best all-time. Mounts is 17 assists away from becoming USC's career leader. USC has three players in the top 10 in the Pac-10 hitting percentage (Jasmina Marinkovic, Jennifer Pahl and Jennifer Kessy). USC is fifth in the nation in team assists and seventh in team kills. Senior outside hitter Jennifer Kessy is second in the nation in kills and Mounts is fourth in the nation in assists.
CLIMBING THE CHARTS - Senior middle blocker Jasmina Marinkovic is now first on the USC career charts in block assists and is second in total blocks and solo blocks. Marinkovic is also sixth on the USC career kill chart and eighth in attacks. Senior outside hitter Jennifer Kessy is currently third on the USC career kill and attack lists and fourth on the dig list. Kessy needs 79 kills (8.7 kills per match) to move into the top spot on the USC career kill chart. She holds the USC record for attacks in a match after collecting 92 against Wisconsin (9/12). Senior setter Janice Mounts is second on the USC career assist chart with 3,675. She needs 17 assists to surpass Christine Brigman's record of 3,691 assists.
COACH LISA LOVE - Her players have known her as one of the nation's best volleyball coaches for more than 16 years. Colleagues know her as one of the top athletic administrators in the country. Equally determined and successful on both fronts, Lisa Love, the 1997 Pac-10 Co-Coach of the Year, has perpetuated the tradition of USC women's volleyball while also handling the duties of her position as associate athletic director. She has been USC's women's volleyball head coach since 1989 and was named to her administrative post in June of 1991. She will also complete a two-year stint as the President of the American Volleyball Coaches Association when her term concludes in December. Love has posted an outstanding 195-91 (.682) record with the Women of Troy and an impressive 393-169 (.696) mark in 17 seasons as a collegiate head coach. Love is five victories from her 200th win at USC and is seven victories from her 400th career win. Her teams have been nationally ranked in the final Top 20 in 10 of those years, have made nine NCAA regional appearances and 12 NCAA trips overall. Love came to USC in 1989 from Texas-Arlington, where she built the volleyball program into a national contender. She was awarded the highest collegiate volleyball coaching honor when she was named the 1988 AVCA National Coach of the Year for leading UTA to its fifth Southland Conference championship and a Top 10 national ranking.
JASMINA MARINKOVIC - One of the most exciting players in the country, senior All-American middle blocker Jasmina Marinkovic (pronounced Yaz-MEE-nah Ma-RINK-o-VITCH) is a major player in the Women of Troy's 1998 campaign. Known to her friends as Jasna, Marinkovic is an excellent leaper and one of the most athletic middle blockers in the country. She is looking to become USC's first player to earn back-to-back All-American first team honors since Tracy Clark and Kim Ruddins did it in 1984-85. Marinkovic was named Pac-10 Player of the week for the week of Oct. 12. She has received the honor four times in her career. Only four players in Pac-10 history have earned the honor more than that. She is tied with teammate Jennifer Kessy for the most a USC player has been recognized for this honor. She is currently fourth in the Pac-10 in hitting percentage (.350).
Marinkovic posted 14 kills and four blocks against Oregon (10/22) and had 15 kills and three blocks against Oregon State (10/25). In the match against Washington State (10/16), Marinkovic added 19 kills and eight blocks. She posted 21 kills and seven blocks against Washington (10/18). Against Arizona State (10/9), she tallied 17 kills, six digs and four blocks. She added 15 kills and seven digs in USC's victory over Arizona (10/11). Marinkovic posted 15 kills while hitting a match-high .609 against UCLA (10/2). She posted 15 kills and five blocks in the match against Oregon State (9/25) and collected 12 kills and five blocks against Oregon (9/27). Marinkovic had 24 kills and seven blocks against Stanford (9/18). She is first on USC's block assist chart and is second on the total block and solo block charts. She is also sixth on USC's career kill chart and and eighth on the attack chart. She has earned All-Tournament honors in all three tournaments the Women of Troy have played in this season (NACWAA, San Francisco/Saint Mary's College and Wisconsin).
JENNIFER KESSY - An All-American candidate as a 1998 senior, Jennifer Kessy is one of the top outside hitters in the country and one of the most feared attackers in the Pac-10. Kessy is second in the nation in kills as of 10/18. She was named Pac-10 Player of the Week, for the week of Oct. 4. This is the fourth such honor of her career and she is tied with Jasmina Marinkovic for the most a Women of Troy player has received the honor. Only four players have ever received this honor more than four times in Pac-10 history. She is second in the conference in kills with 5.40 per game. Kessy is currently the team leader in kills (357) and digs (211). She is seventh in the Pac-10 in service aces with 19. Kessy posted 22 kills and nine digs against Oregon (10/22) and 11 kills and seven digs against (10/25). She had 26 kills and 13 digs against Washington State (10/16). In the match against Washington (10/18), Kessy led USC with 28 kills and 14 digs.
Against Arizona State (10/9), Kessy had match highs in kills (18) and digs (17). She added 19 kills and seven digs against Arizona (10/11). Kessy collected 27 kills and 15 digs, helping lead USC to their fourth consecutive win over UCLA (10/2). She posted 14 kills and five blocks against Pepperdine (9/30). She collected 17 kills and nine digs against Oregon State (9/25) and 18 kills and nine digs Oregon (9/27). Kessy had 16 kills and 13 digs during the California match (9/20). She has 46 double-doubles in her career.
Kessy holds the all-time USC record for attacks in a match with 92, vs. Wisconsin (9/12). This is also the most attacks by a Pac-10 player this season. She is third on the USC career kill and attack charts and is fourth on the dig chart. She has been named to the All-Tournament team at all three tournaments the team has played in this season (NACWAA, San Francisco/Saint Mary's College and Wisconsin). As a standout junior in 1997, Kessy was named to the KAEPA/AVCA All-District VIII and All-Pac-10 first teams.
JANICE MOUNTS - Janice Mounts, a 1998 senior All-American candidate, is in her third year as USC's starting setter. A savvy veteran with loads of court experience, Mounts, a Women of Troy co-captain, is one of the top floor leaders in the nation. Mounts' 3,675 assists place her second on the USC career assist list, 17 short of breaking Christine Brigman's record of 3,691. Her assist per game average (12.89) is best all-time, above Brigman's career mark (12.60). She leads the Pac-10 in assists this season with 907 (14.63 per game). Mounts is fourth in the nation in assists as of 10/18. She posted 52 assists against Oregon (10/22) and 29 assists and nine digs against Oregon State (10/25). Mounts collected season-highs in assists (76) and blocks (five) against Washington State (10/16). In the match against Washington (10/18), Mounts added 62 assists and a season-high 18 digs. She had 57 assists, six kills and 11 digs against Arizona State (10/9) and had 45 assists and eight digs in the match against Arizona (10/11).
She posted 58 assists in USC's victory over UCLA (10/2). She had 92 assists in the two matches against Oregon State (9/25) and Oregon (9/27). Mounts posted 59 assists, 14 digs and four blocks during California match (9/18) and 69 assists, eight digs and two blocks against Stanford (9/20). Against Wisconsin (9/12), Mounts had 70 assists. She has earned All-Tournament honors at all three tournaments the squad has competed in this season (NACWAA, San Francisco/Saint Mary's College and Wisconsin). In the NACWAA Tournament, Mounts collected 111 assists, 10 digs and six blocks, including 61 assists, six digs and two blocks during the Long Beach State match (8/29). As a 1997 junior, Mounts earned All-Pac-10 honorable mention for the second consecutive season.
ALAINA KIPPS - Alaina Kipps, who suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament during the Indiana match, has undergone seson-ending surgery. Kipps was the team block leader in 1997 and is currently a Women of Troy co-captain. Kipps earned 1997 GTE/CoSIDA Academic All-America second team and District Vlll and Pac-10 All-Academic first team honors.
ANTOINETTE POLK - A 1998 sophomore, outside hitter Antoinette Polk is building on a promising freshman season in which she established herself as one of the top up-and-comers in the Pac-10. She is possibly the most athletic player and best leaper on the team (at 5-10, she can dunk on a regulation basketball hoop). She is second on the team in digs (155) and third in kills (159). Polk had 11 kills and 10 digs against Oregon (10/22) and had seven kills and 10 digs against Oregon State (10/25). She collected a career-high 24 kills and 13 digs against Washington State (10/16) and had 11 kills and 11 digs against Washington (10/18). She tallied seven kills and eight digs against Arizona State (10/9).
Against Arizona (10/11), Polk collected eight kills and a season-high 15 digs. She had 12 kills and 13 digs against UCLA, her first double-double of the season. She added six kills and 12 digs to the USC win over Pepperdine (9/30). In the two matches against Oregon State (9/25) and Oregon (9/27), Polk posted 13 kills and nine digs. Polk had 21 kills and added nine digs during the match against California (9/20). Starting as a redshirt freshman in 1997, Polk was named 1997 Pac-10 Freshman of the Year (USC's second such honor. The first was Jasmina Marinkovic in 1995).
SARA STEPHEN - One of the quickest members of the Women of Troy and perhaps its hardest hitter, 1998 senior Sara Stephen is a multi-dimensional player who provides key defense in the back row. A quick player with great leaping abilities, her versatility gives Coach Love many options. Stephen had seven digs against Washington State (10/16) and 10 digs against Washington (10/18). She had a season-high 14 digs in the USC victory over Arizona (10/11). Stephen started in the Stanford (9/18) and California (9/20) matches, collecting 11 digs. She played in both matches at the Wisconsin Tournament, collecting 14 digs and three aces.
KASHI CORMIER - Sophomore Kashi Cormier is a contributor at outside hitter this season. Cormier had six kills and 14 digs against Washington State (10/16). She posted three kills and six digs against Washington (10/18). In the Stanford (9/18) and California (9/20) matches, Cormier collected 11 digs, three blocks and one service ace. Cormier had a career-best 20 digs against Wisconsin (8/28) and had four block assists. She has had two double-doubles this season (11 kills and 16 digs vs. Wisconsin on 8/28 and 11 kills and 12 digs vs. Long Beach State) at the NACWAA Tournament. In 1997, Cormier was named a Pac-10 All-Freshman honorable mention selection.
JANAE HENRY - Sophomore Janae Henry is vying for time at the outside hitter. Henry posted six kills and 12 digs against Oregon (10/22) and eight kills and four digs against Oregon State (10/25). She contributed five kills and six digs against Washington (10/18). Henry collected five kills and six digs in the two matches against Oregon State (9/25) and Oregon (9/27). She posted 15 kills and nine digs in USC's effort against Stanford (9/18). She had her first career start against Wisconsin (8/28) at the NACWAA Tournament to start off the 1998 season. Henry was the 1996 Volleyball Magazine "Player of the Year."
JENNIFER PAHL - One of two freshmen on the roster, Jennifer Pahl has taken over at middle blocker in the absence of Alaina Kipps. She is currently sixth in the Pac-10 in hitting percentage (.335). She had five kills and three blocks against Oregon (10/22) and six kills and three blocks against Oregon State (10/25). Pahl posted eight kills against Washington State (10/16). She had six kills, four digs and two blocks in the match against Arizona State (10/9) and had six kills and three blocks against Arizona (10/11). She had eight kills and a career-high six blocks in USC's win over UCLA (10/2). She had four kills and seven digs against Pepperdine (9/30). Adding to the USC win over California (8/20), Pahl contributed nine kills and three blocks. She had a career high 10 kills in the match against Stanford (9/18). As a prep senior in 1997, Pahl was named to Volleyball Magazine's "Fab 50" and was the CIF Division V-AA Co-Player of the year.
SHANNON REDFERN - Walk-on sophomore Shannon Redfern is vying for time at outside hitter for the 1998 season. Redfern had a career-tying 10 kills and three digs against Arizona State (10/9) and a career-high 12 digs in the match against Arizona (10/11). She had her first career-start at the outside hitter position against Oregon State (8/25) and posted career highs in kills (10) and blocks (five) while adding a season-high three aces and seven digs. Against Arizona in 1997, Redfern had a USC season-high seven aces, one short of tying USC's three-game match record.
AMBER OLIVER - Sophomore middle blocker Amber Oliver has returned to play after redshirting last season to rehabilitate a shoulder injury. Oliver is a welcome returner at middle blocker and is looking to return to the form that made her a force at the net as a blocker and a quick attacker in 1996. Oliver posted five kills and three blocks against Washington (10/18). At the Wisconsin Tournament, Oliver played in seven games, collecting 11 kills and six block assists.
HEIDI MUNNEKE - An instinctive setter with an exceptional touch, sophomore setter Heidi Munneke will compete for time behind starter Janice Mounts. Against Oregon State (10/25), Munneke had two kills, six assists and three digs. At the San Francisco/Saint Mary's Tournament, Munneke had 23 assists and four aces in three games.
WALK-ONS - The Women of Troy feature a talented cast of six walk-ons that provide Coach Love with key depth. Cynthia Corpuz, a sophomore defensive specialist, adds speed and quickness in the back row. She collected a career-high 15 digs against Wisconsin (9/12). Corpuz had her first career starts at the San Francisco/Saint Mary's Tournament, playing in all six games. Corpuz has appeared in 40 of USC's 49 games this year. Christine Bohle, a sophomore outside hitter, serves the Women of Troy mainly as a back-row specialist and situational server as she did in the 1997 season. Bohle saw time in two games at the San Francisco/Saint Mary's College Tournament, collecting five kills. A competitive player who can provide a spark off the bench will be sophomore defensive specialist and a reserve setter Ashlyn Dyer, a first-year player. Sophomore middle blocker Sara Peterson is again a solid contributor, adding depth to the blocking ranks. Freshman Emily Dalbeck is a valuable back-up at outside hitter and as a defensive specialist. Dalbeck earned CIF Division 3-A first team honors in her senior year at La Canada (Calif.) High.
UCLA - The Bruins are led in kills by freshman outside Kristee Porter (335). Porter is also second in digs (164). Sophomore middle blocker Elisabeth Bachman leads the team in blocks (101) and freshman outside hitter Ashley Bowles leads the team in digs (187). Andy Banachowski is in his 31st season as the head coach at UCLA.
USC IN THE PAC-10 - USC leads the Pac-10 in assists (16.02), kills (17.91) and digs (16.30) and is second in hitting percentage (.281). Senior setter Janice Mounts leads the Pac-10 in assists with 14.63 per game. Senior outside hitter Jennifer Kessy is second in the Pac-10 in kills with 5.58 per game. Her 92 attacks at Wisconsin (9/12) is not only a school record but the most in the Pac-10 this year. She is also second in the Pac-10 in digs (3.30). USC has the conference's highest hitting percentage in a match with .493 (Sam Houston State on 9/5). On the Pac-10 active career leaders chart Jennifer Kessy in first in kills (1,602) with Jasmina Marinkovic second (1,476). Kessy is also first in digs (1,185) and Janice Mounts is first in assists (3,675).
VOLLEYBALL HALL OF FAME - Assistant volleyball coach and former USC All-American Paula Weishoff was inducted into the Volleyball Hall of Fame on Oct. 19. Weishoff, a three-time Olympian, won a silver medal in 1984 and a bronze in 1992 and also played on the 1996 team in Atlanta. In 1980, she played under Coach Chuck Erbe, leading USC to a 46-4 record and the AIAW national championship. She joins two other Women of Troy in the Volleyball Hall of Fame: Patti Bright and Debbie Green.
TOUGH SCHEDULE - USC faces one of the toughest schedules in the nation. Including possible tournament match-ups, USC could face up to 10 schools ranked in the USA Today/AVCA Coaches Preseason Top 25: Stanford, Long Beach State, Washington State, Washington, UCLA, Pepperdine, Wisconsin, Pacific, Arkansas and Notre Dame. USC will also face three teams that received votes in the preseason poll: Arizona, Arizona State, Oregon State and possibly Houston in the Banker's Classic.
PAC-10 PRESEASON POLL - USC was ranked No. 1 in the Pac-10 Preseason Poll. The Women of Troy earned nine of 10 first-place votes with defending national champion Stanford taking the remaining vote. USC becomes the only team other than Stanford or UCLA to hold the spot in the preseason poll. The coaches have chosen correctly in seven of nine previous polls. Following are the results: 1. USC, 2. Stanford, 3. UCLA, 4. Washington, 5. Washington State, 6. Arizona, 7. Oregon State 8. Arizona State, 9. Oregon, 10. California.
PAC-10 PLAYER OF THE WEEK - USC has had two players named Pac-10 Player of the Week this year. Senior middle blocker Jasmina Marinkovic was honored for the week of Oct. 12. Senior outside hitter Jennifer Kessy earned the honor for the week of Oct. 4. The two are tied for the most a Women of Troy player has earned this honor. There are only four other players in Pac-10 volleyball history that have earned the honor more than that.
