Volleyball hosts schools from Los Angeles
Top 25 match up in Bohler, WSU looks to win third straight game
BENJAMIN MICHAELIS | DAILY EVERGREEN FILE
Redshirt freshman setter Hannah Pukis sets the ball during the game against Arizona on Oct. 18 at Bohler Gym.
November 1, 2019
The No. 22 Cougar volleyball team will face the No. 25 University of California-Los Angeles and the University of Southern California this weekend in Bohler Gym.
The Cougars (18-4, 7-3) will play the UCLA Bruins (12-7, 7-3) at 7 p.m. on Friday, and the USC Trojans (12-8, 6-4) at noon on Sunday.
“Both teams have been playing extremely well. They bring great defense,” Head Coach Jen Greeny said. “They are both really tough and experienced but have different systems.”
Greeny said she wants to work on blocking defensively but overall wants to continue improving all skills.
“Second half of the Pac-12 is always interesting … we just have to get back in the gym and start preparing for these teams. UCLA has some great pins and play some fabulous defense as well,” Greeny said. “USC has pretty quick tempo and has hitters coming out of everywhere.”
UCLA holds the all-time record against WSU 30-6, and USC also holds the all-time record 31-6. Despite the two teams’ history against the Cougars, Greeny said she is confident in her young but talented team going into this weekend.
“With a really young team you just have to focus on the process and not the outcome,” Greeny said.
The Cougars returned home after a victorious weekend facing Utah and Colorado. Junior outside hitter Penny Tusa, redshirt freshman outside hitter Kaylah Williams, and freshman outside hitter Pia Timmer combined for 52 kills last weekend against the mountain schools.
“Offensively, I think our hitters, for the most part, are doing a really good job of not making as many unforced errors,” Greeny said. “This is probably the highest our hitting percentage as a group consistently has been in maybe nine years.”
Greeny said if they get a good crowd in the gym, it’s tough for the other team to play.
“Not much else is going on this week, besides Halloween, so the more people we can get, the better. The fans need to realize how important they are and Bohler Gym gives a different environment than anywhere else in the conference,” Greeny said.
The Cougars face UCLA at 7 p.m. on Friday and USC at noon on Sunday in Bohler Gym.
