Huskies on top; #2
USC hosts Stanford on Friday
In case you missed it, the six teams that won their rivalry
matches last week each had to turn around and face another of the five winners …
and vice versa. That guaranteed that only three teams would end the week 2-0. Washington (over Oregon) and Stanford
(over Arizona State) passed last
week’s biggest tests.
 |
| Washington is tops in this week's Pac-12 power rankings -photo by Shutter Geeks Photography |
This week’s marquee match is Friday’s Stanford @ USC showdown.
Lots of freshmen and sophomores in the spotlight for this one … we look for a
USC win, 3-1.
UCLA will be a
bit desperate for a win; the Bruins’ match against Stanford is tonight at 7:30
on the Pac-12 Networks. Oregon could
be a bit anxious as well, traveling south to face an Arizona team that should be playing better, and an Arizona State
team that should blow the Ducks out of the gym.
The Huskies’ next opponent, Colorado, has a strong setter in sophomore Nicole Edelman and two solid attackers in juniors Taylor Simpson and Kelsey English. Senior Nikki
Lindow leads the conference with 1.52 blocks/set.
Washington is tops in Pac-12 hitting percentage (.337),
sixth in opponent hitting percentage (.161) and third in blocks/set (2.84) The
Huskies lead the conference (and the nation) in service aces per set (2.09).
WEEK SIX PAC-12 POWER
RANKINGS …
CONF
|
ALL
|
|||
1
|
Washington
|
2-0
|
10-0
|
Nation’s #1-ranked team is doing it
by taking care of the small stuff: tough serving plus strong passing equals
great hitting (#3 in nation)
|
2
|
USC
|
2-0
|
12-1
|
Nation’s #2-ranked team is led by a
soph and two frosh … will that help or hurt in Friday’s huge showdown with
Stanford?
|
3
|
Stanford
|
2-0
|
9-2
|
Nation’s #7-ranked team showed grit
against ASU; face floundering Bruins tonight in Pauley before cross-town trip
to Galen.
|
4
|
Arizona St
|
1-1
|
12-2
|
Nation’s #15-ranked team missed a
golden opportunity on the Farm; Gardner is the real deal, but team passing
was Achilles heel
|
5
|
Utah
|
1-1
|
12-2
|
No shame in losing to USC & BYU,
but Utes need a signature win; hoping Huskies light-headed from altitude of
polls and SLC.
|
6
|
California
|
1-1
|
8-3
|
Bears gave Cardinal more than many
expected, then shut down ‘Cats. Need a win against Bruins if they lose
against Trojans.
|
7
|
Colorado
|
1-1
|
9-3
|
Buffs bounce through tough loss to
Utah, then historic win against UCLA, then big stumble at Wyoming. Who will
UW see Friday?
|
8
|
Washington St
|
1-1
|
14-1
|
Cougs’ only loss is to the nation’s
number one team. Need at least a Rocky Mountain split to stay in the
conversation.
|
9
|
Oregon
|
1-1
|
8-4
|
When Ducks win, they support one
another. When Ducks lose, they act like strangers. May need some kumbaya
among the cactus.
|
10
|
UCLA
|
0-2
|
9-3
|
Beatdown in Boulder ends a 12-match
roadtrip. Will Home Sweet Home be enough to conquer Cards, if not Bears?
|
11
|
Arizona
|
0-2
|
8-3
|
Wildcats’ woes start with anemic
hitting, despite having what should be two of the Pac-12’s best hitters. Need
to roast Ducks.
|
12
|
Oregon St
|
0-2
|
9-4
|
Had WSU on the ropes at home, but
couldn’t close the deal. Will be a long season unless Beavs win matches like
that one.
|
Photos courtesy Shutter
Geeks Photography
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