Finding what it takes to win

By Bruce Garlinghouse Staff Writer garlingh13@up.edu

The women's volleyball team entered conference play last week with a chance to prove to its WCC opponents, a group with three top -20 teams, that they are equipped to be a formidable opponent in a highly competitive conference.

Unfortunately, that first test came against conference favorite and No. 19 ranked Pepperdine.

Portland proved early they can compete, winning the first two sets 26-24.

But after halftime, Pepperdine showed why they are nationally ranked, downing the Pilots 25-15, 25-14 and 15-8 in the final three sets.

"We have to realize we can beat teams," junior Ariel Usher said. "We can be at the top of our conference. We have the talent."

After a day of rest, they returned to the Chiles Center to face Loyola Marymount. Despite a career night from Usher who had 21 kills and 16 digs, the Pilots lost a back-and-forth battle as the Lions edged a 15-12 win in the fifth set. Junior outside hitter Kate Bostwick also posted a career high four service aces and freshman middle blocker Bea Loper's four blocks tied a career high.

Finishing out games has been an Achilles heel for the Pilots this season. Six of their nine losses have gone to five sets.

"We are doing 90 percent right and I couldn't be happier," head coach Joe Houck said. "We are pushing games to five sets and we're having the chance."

Against Pepperdine, the Pilots controlled the first two sets, executing sets and finishing on kills. They were also able to limit scoring attacks from All-American Kim Hill, Pepperdine's primary scoring threat.

However, the Pilots play turned sloppy in the final three sets and the Waves found a way to get Hill incorporated into the offense as she went on to finish the game with 17 kills on the night, including the 1,000th of her career.

"We need to understand how to finish," junior Rachel Femling said. "When we are up 2-0 we need to learn how to finish that third set."

Houck pointed out a danger inherent in sports, and one the Pilots found them in against both Pepperdine and LMU.

"If you don't know what it takes to win, you give everything," he said. "However, if you do understand what it takes, then you start to measure your effort and I think we did that after two sets against Pepperdine."

Now the Pilots look to bounce back from a 0-2 start in conference play as they face Santa Clara tonight and University of San Francisco on Saturday in the Chiles Center.

Santa Clara was picked to finish 4th in the WCC and USF is picked to finish 7th along with the Pilots. However, with a 3-0 sweep over No. 18 San Diego, USF has shown they may be a stronger than their ranking would suggest.

Usher said the team recognizes the importance of these next two games, given the strength of the conference.

"Coming back would show we don't roll over," Usher said. "It is definitely crucial we show ourselves, but also to show our conference that we can finish games."