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In Husky football, if the third-string quarterback misses practice, it's in the paper the next day.
In Husky volleyball, if a starter breaks her finger and will miss a month, even the media doesn't know until a week later.
In Husky football, you sign in to watch practice behind a dotted line. About 150 people attend.
In Husky volleyball, you can sit directly in the line of fire of some of the country's hardest-hitting spikers. You are one of three spectators.
Yet: In Husky football, which went 0-12 last year, the coach is talking about making progress and seeing improvement.
In Husky volleyball, which was two points from the Final Four and brings back all but one starter, the coach is talking about winning a national title.
Speaking to a handful of reporters and a couple of TV cameras in a small room in the bowels of Hec Ed on media day, Coach Jim McLaughlin only barely veiled his expectations for his #4-ranked team. "If we keep on the path and keep going about business the way we do it day-to-day, they can get to a pretty big time place, a special place."
McLaughlin wouldn't actually say the words "national championship," but it was pretty clear what he meant.
He hasn't named a starting lineup yet -- the Huskies are blessed with four talented outside hitters, all of whom saw significant playing time last season. "It's a dogfight every day," McLaughlin says of the competition between concert pianist and Bush School grad Jill Collymore, Utah transfer Airial Salvo, avid napper Becky Perry and Colorado farm girl Kindra Carlson. "There's some heat going on."
The only news was an injury to Lauren Barfield, the Huskies' presumed starter at middle blocker. One week ago, Barfield dove for a ball in practice and her finger broke when she collided with a teammate. The injury was news to the assembled reporters. This couldn't happen in football, where several newspapers and web sites send reporters to every practice and note the absence of even the least important players. Yesterday Keith Price, a true freshman quarterback who likely won't play this season, missed practice while the NCAA doublechecked his high school transcripts. This information made it into the Husky football notes in this morning's Seattle Times.
Yet Barfield--a key starter on this year's team as she's replacing All-American Jessica Swarbrick--will be out until conference play, and no one knew until now. Seattle Times readers still don't, as far as we can tell, as there's nothing about Husky volleyball in today's edition.
Barfield's spot will likely be filled by redshirt freshman Kelcey Dunaway, a former All-Metro selection for Bainbridge High. Barfield's return, though, is a key component in the Dawgs' championship dreams.
After the media event, we watched volleyball practice from a corner of the gleaming Hec Ed parquet. Our spot, which we picked because it was closest to the entrance and thus seemed less invasive, turned out to be right in the firing line of hitting practice. These ladies hit the ball hard--while we were sitting there, one of their blasts obliterated the protective casing around a video camera that was set out on the court. This wasn't the best set up for taking notes, as we had to keep our eyes up to avoid getting smacked by a ball. A few times we had to deflect a ball away from our face with our hands. Still, it was neat to be in the firing line, seeing just how fast Husky opponents need to react. Very fast, is the answer.
We should say a word about the dedication of these athletes. Though volleyball is a lesser sport in the media world, that doesn't mean the players are working less than their football counterparts. "It's like our job," Airial Salvo said of their practice and workout schedule.
The Husky volleyball team begins their march to a championship on Friday night when they host San Jose St. in the season opener at 7 p.m. at Hec Ed. Tickets are $6-9, $4 for kids. You can also catch the VolleyDawgs at 11 a.m. on Saturday at Seattle U (the game's at the Connolly Center on 12th and Cherry), or back at Hec Ed that night against San Diego St.
They won't play in Seattle again until October, so if you're looking to catch what's possibly the best team in the city, this is your last chance for a while.
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Great article! Thanks for highlighting and validating women's volleyball!
Thanks for covering UW volleyball. This is a great (in the true sense of the word) team that deserves attention.
I have never seen a college team so well trained in the techniques of their sport. Add incredible talent, dedication and determination and we have a special team that will be remembered for many years to come.
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