July 31, 2002
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara University women's volleyball team was picked second in the annual West Coast Conference coaches' poll Wednesday morning as announced by the league office.
The Broncos were tabbed by the coaches to finish second behind Pepperdine, who were a unanimous pick to repeat at conference champs. San Diego and Loyola Marymount are picked to finish third and fourth, respectively, while San Francisco, Portland, Gonzaga and Saint Mary's round out the poll.
In 2001, Santa Clara earned their fourth consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament. The Broncos return eight letterwinners, five of which are starters, from last year's squad. The Broncos finished 11-3 in WCC play last year, good enough for a second place finish following their championship year in 2000.
Head coach Jon Wallace returns for his fourth season on the Mission Campus. During his first three seasons he has compiled a resume that consists of .728 winning percentage, a West Coast Conference Championship and Coach of the Year selection, 13 all-WCC performers and more importantly, three straight appearances in the NCAA Tournament.
Wallace will look to his senior captains, twins Chrissy and Cindy Hirsch, to lead the squad in 2002. Also returning are 2001 first team All-WCC performers Becky Potter and Toni Muratore, who led the offensive charge for the Broncos last season, posting 4.01 and 3.87 kills per game respectively.
Santa Clara will begin its 2002 season on the road at the UC Irvine Tournament on August 30th. The Broncos' first home game will be against San Jose State on September 28th, followed just one week later by the WCC opener against San Diego at the Leavey Center on October 4.
WCC Volleyball 2002 Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Pepperdine
2. Santa Clara
3. San Diego
4. Loyola Marymount
5. San Francisco
6. Portland
7. Gonzaga
8. Saint Mary's