Surprising Sooners enjoying record run
| • | Red-hot Rainbows face Trojan team with no apparent weaknesses |
By Kyle Sakamoto
Advertiser Staff Writer
The Oklahoma Sooners women's volleyball team made a major turnaround this season, one that has produced several school records and firsts.
Oklahoma is 28-5, and some of the team's notable achievements are:
"Oklahoma hasn't really done too much in the past, and we are making history in every single match this season," said third-year Sooners coach Santiago Restrepo.
Oklahoma's opponent today in the Honolulu Regional is no stranger to the postseason.
The UCLA Bruins (31-3) are playing in their 25th NCAA Tournament. This is only Oklahoma's fourth. The Bruins have reached the Sweet 16 four consecutive years, and seven times in the past eight years.
"We're happy to be playing and look forward to good competition," UCLA coach Andy Banachowski said. "There are four excellent teams here in this regional, and there's going to be some exciting volleyball this weekend."
Oklahoma and No. 12 UCLA will play at 4:30 p.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center. No. 12 Hawai'i and No. 6 USC will follow at 7 p.m.
Oklahoma, the Big 12 runner-up, will be playing their first match here. UCLA, the Pac-10 runner-up, played here in early September, and swept all three opponents in the Hawaiian Airlines Classic.
Banachowski has noticed a difference this time.
"I'm sure it happens all the time, but it was sure windy last night. It's nice. Two trips here this year is a treat for us," he said.
While success in volleyball is expected at UCLA, it's a new experience for Oklahoma.
On Oct. 2, the Sooners were ranked in the Top 25 for the first time since 1988.
The Sooners beat Texas A&M on Sept. 13 to snap a 27-year series losing streak; defeated Texas for the first time in history on Sept. 27; and they ended a 14-match slide against Kansas State (Oct. 14) and a 12-match losing streak to Missouri (Oct. 18).
"We're really excited to see things turn around, and finally now we can see what we want. It's a dream come true," said senior middle blocker Eliane Santos.
The community has also gotten behind the Sooners.
"We are starting to have a lot more people in the gym," Restrepo said. "Everybody is starting to keep track of the games on the Game Tracker. It's been pretty neat to see."
Restrepo said the key against UCLA will be how his team fares against middle blocker Nana Meriwether and outside hitter Katie Carter. Both are seniors.
Meriwether, who touches 10 feet, 7 inches, set UCLA and Pac-10 records with 205 block assists this season, and averages 4.08 kills per game.
"She's not really human," Carter said. "Nana is such an amazing athlete. The best by far I've seen in my career so far."
Reach Kyle Sakamoto at ksakamoto@honoluluadvertiser.com.
