On paper, this weekend was a big opportunity for Cal Volleyball to pick up a second win of the season, but the Bears are rather short-handed in recent weeks. Makana Meyer, the only somewhat experienced returning outside hitter, has now missed the last 4 matches; as much as Meyer is not efficient with her hitting percentage, Cal just doesn't have the depth. Also, it's either a youth movement or injury that has caused freshman Kendall Jensen to take over as the setter (Bears also no longer do the 6-2 and play two setters) over Potter. Potter is still playing as a defensive specialist but has a heavy bandage on her left hand. Jensen is talented but also inconsistent. Against a 3-win ASU team, the Bears got swept 3-0 twice.
Two Cal teams each got a key player back this weekend. Kitty Lynn Joustra is back for Cal Women's Water Polo, the Bears made things interesting today in only being edged 9-8 at No.2 UCLA (and the Bruins got their late game-winning goal via a lucky rebound). Emily Smith is also back for Cal Women's Soccer today; it's good to see the senior defender back on the field wearing that Captain's armband (also good that today's game is on the Pac-12 Network).
According to the Pac-12 Networks broadcast, both Emily Smith and Emma Westin will return to the team this fall. Cal could/should be a national championship contender for the first time in a long time this fall.
And the Bears blew an early 1-0 lead to lose 2-1. Knowing what we know now about how now-UW goalkeeper Olivia Sekany felt about her time as a Cal Bear (she is one of the former players who accused Cal head coach McGuire of creating a toxic environment which prompted her to graduate early and transfer to UW), it was also a bit weird to root against her.
On paper, this weekend was a big opportunity for Cal Volleyball to pick up a second win of the season, but the Bears are rather short-handed in recent weeks. Makana Meyer, the only somewhat experienced returning outside hitter, has now missed the last 4 matches; as much as Meyer is not efficient with her hitting percentage, Cal just doesn't have the depth. Also, it's either a youth movement or injury that has caused freshman Kendall Jensen to take over as the setter (Bears also no longer do the 6-2 and play two setters) over Potter. Potter is still playing as a defensive specialist but has a heavy bandage on her left hand. Jensen is talented but also inconsistent. Against a 3-win ASU team, the Bears got swept 3-0 twice.
Two Cal teams each got a key player back this weekend. Kitty Lynn Joustra is back for Cal Women's Water Polo, the Bears made things interesting today in only being edged 9-8 at No.2 UCLA (and the Bruins got their late game-winning goal via a lucky rebound). Emily Smith is also back for Cal Women's Soccer today; it's good to see the senior defender back on the field wearing that Captain's armband (also good that today's game is on the Pac-12 Network).
According to the Pac-12 Networks broadcast, both Emily Smith and Emma Westin will return to the team this fall. Cal could/should be a national championship contender for the first time in a long time this fall.
And the Bears blew an early 1-0 lead to lose 2-1. Knowing what we know now about how now-UW goalkeeper Olivia Sekany felt about her time as a Cal Bear (she is one of the former players who accused Cal head coach McGuire of creating a toxic environment which prompted her to graduate early and transfer to UW), it was also a bit weird to root against her.