Closing the books on the 2014 non-conference season with a 10-3 record, Santa Clara volleyball will begin a new chapter on Fri., Sept. 26 when it plays its first West Coast Conference match at USF.  The match in War Memorial Gym is set to begin at 7 pm.  USF is 7-5 this season, including 3-0 record at home.

Santa Clara's WCC slate begins quickly with four matches in eight days.  After the USF match, the Broncos will open the 2014 home WCC season on Tues., Sept. 30 vs. Pacific at 6 pm.  They will then travel to No. 24 San Diego on Oct. 2 and then No. 11 BYU on Oct. 4.

"Our conference has had a great preseason. I am expecting a tougher run this year in conference than last year.  We have three ranked teams in the top 25 and the rest of the league is strong," said Bronco head coach Jon Wallace.  

With that said, Wallace knows the Broncos just finished off a really fine non-conference schedule.  "We feel we have accomplished everything we wanted to accomplish going into our conference season. Each individual has improved as well as the team. We have been able to establish what Bronco volleyball is for us and that is a good start for a young team.  Our passers are continuing to get better. They are a big reason we are hitting at a high percentage on the year."

The Broncos continue to lead the nation in aces per set (2.20).  They are also No. 6 nationally in hitting percentage (.306), No. 8 in team service aces (97), No. 12 in assists per set (13.36) and No. 15 in kills per set (14.30).  Individually in the top 20 national rankings, Kirsten Mead is No. 4 with 11.93 apg, Kaity Edwards is No. 11 in hitting percentage and Danielle Rottman is No. 17 in aces per set.

"Our offense is very good," said Wallace. "Our hitting percentage is the best its been since 2005. We are getting great play from our setter which is allowing our hitters to terminate at a high percentage."

The Broncos posted a 2-1 record last weekend, collecting two wins on Saturday, one vs. Northern Illinois in Santa Barbara and the second at Cal Poly.  "It was great to see a breakout weekend by Natasha Calkins," said Wallace. "She added a needed spark and we hope she continues this great run.  We have three freshmen playing right now and all three are doing really well. The future is bright with three freshmen and two sophomores playing significant time."

Sabrina Clayton leads the team with 3.36 kpg.  Nikki Hess collects 3.12 kpg and Taylor Milton 3.05 kpg.  Mead, as mentioned above, runs the offense with 11.9 apg and adds .40 sapg and 1.40 dpg.  Edwards leads the team in hitting among the regular starters (.462) and also with .57 bpg.  Hess was named to the all-tournament team last weekend.

"Taylor was all-tournament three times in the preseason and still continues to work hard to maximize her potential," said Wallace.  "We know that she is an All-WCC type player and we need that contribution every day." 

Rottman leads the team with 4.48 dpg and .52 sapg.  "I am also very proud of our floor defense – our intensity has improved," said Wallace. "Our play-making has improved.  Dani had a career high in digs in our last two matches (31 at Cal Poly).  She just competes so hard."

USF is hitting .208 and its opponents are hitting .200. The Dons are led by Valentina Zaloznik, who is hitting .355 with 3.16 kpg and 1.09 bpg.  Katarina Pilepic collects 3.04 kpg.  Setters Klara McKibben (8.73 apg) and Jurja Vlasic (3.16 apg) pace the offense with Kim Gutierrez leading the team with 4.47 dpg. 

"Valentina Zaloznik is a preseason All-American candidate and her numbers this year are very good," said Wallace.  "Playing at USF has historically been tough for us, but we have a lot of new players this year – so we will go in there with a different attitude." 

This week in practice Wallace said the team needs to continue to work to improve its block.  "Over the last couple of weeks we have improved our eye work and are very comfortable reacting to what we see. Now we must improve our handwork.  We need to get our hands across the net to cut down angles."

Wallace is looking for the team to stay locked into playing Bronco volleyball. "When we are able to play our style at our pace, we play with confidence and we are a tough team to beat."