UCI wins opener

Steve Virgen

CRAWFORD HALL -- The countless hours of work appears to be paying

off for the UC Irvine women’s volleyball team. The Anteaters

displayed the fruits of their labor with a 30-11, 30-18, 25-30, 30-25 season-opening victory over New Orleans Friday in the UC Irvine

Marriott Sunset Showcase.

Irvine came out strong and won the first two games, handily.

Senior Chanda McLeod, the Anteaters’ team captain, has moved from the

right outside hitting spot to the left. Her new position is unique in

that she’s left-handed, which seemed to keep New Orleans (0-1) off

balance.

“I’m excited about (moving Chanda over),” UCI Coach Charlie Brande

said. “I’m excited about where we are as a team. We weren’t able to

play with some teams last year. But this year we’re going to be in

each match, and we know it. Our returners worked extremely hard

during the off-season. We’re a good volleyball team.”

The Anteaters showed glimpses of what they’re capable of with

their victory in Game 1. Their hitting percentage was at .500 as a

team, and they did not commit any errors. In contrast, the Privateers

committed eight errors and appeared to be lost at times.

Sophomore outside hitter Kelly Wing led the Anteaters with five

kills in the first game. Wing amassed 21 total kills, a match-high.

“Kelly has been tremendous,” Brande said. “She’s always had the

athleticism, and now she’s been working hard to add the other

elements.”

UCI collected seven aces in the first game, four came from the

powerful left hand of McLeod. Her jump serves accounted for seven

straight points to help the Anteaters build a 16-6 lead.

Keegan Featherstone, a UCI freshman, also had an ace, and

sophomore Sami Cash contributed two.

UCI sophomore setter Ashlie Hain, who finished with a match-high

55 assists, helped lead the Anteaters to victory in Game 2. She

served for nine straight points, including three aces.

“One of the keys for us has been Ashlie Hain improving as a

setter,” Brande said. “She knows where to find the right spots.”

Wing went low for two digs to set up Irvine’s 10-0 run. With the

score tied, 8-8, McLeod finished off a set from Hain, after Wing’s

two digs in a heated rally.

McLeod later ended the game, earning sideout and the subsequent

point for game-point and then closing it out with an ace.

McLeod displayed her versatility, as she led the team in digs with

14. She also had 17 kills and five aces. UCI senior Rebecca Larsen

added eight kills, while 6-foot-5 outside hitter Dana Kurzbard

contributed six.

New Orleans came back with a victory in Game 4, when UCI committed

seven hitting errors.

The Anteaters closed out the match as they built a 14-5 lead. They

held on for the 30-25 win. UCI freshman Christine Woller ended the

match with one of her two kills.

Brenda Waterman, a UCI junior team captain, played as Irvine’s

libero, the new position for NCAA Division I women’s volleyball.

Earlier in the day, Santa Clara defeated James Madison, 30-19,

30-25, 30-15.

The tournament continues today, UCI facing James Madison at 1:30

p.m., and then Santa Clara at 7:30.