New era for UCI

Though there are plenty of familiar faces, the 2009 UC Irvine women’s volleyball team, in many ways, is a first edition.

And for first-year coach Paula Weishoff and her Anteaters, a storybook finish would include a trip to the NCAA Tournament.

UCI’s postseason bubble burst last season, when Coach Charlie Brande’s ninth and final season at the helm ended with a 17-12 record and a tournament snub. This, despite a second-place finish in the Big West Conference.

The coaches picked UCI to finish second in the preseason conference poll, and merely by hiring Weishoff, the ’Eaters’ profile seems to have increased.

“This is the first time we received first-place votes in the Big West (three) and the first time we received votes in the American Volleyball Coaches Assn. national preseason poll,” said Weishoff, a three-time Olympian whom some believe is the greatest women’s indoor player this country has produced.

Junior outside hitter Kari Pestolesi, a two-time first-team All-Big West performer who led the Anteaters in kills (375) and aces (35) while adding 348 digs, also has plenty to do with an elevation of the program’s esteem.

“She could hit the ball hard last year, but she is hitting it like a guy this season,” said Weishoff, the 2008 NAIA Coach of the Year at nearby Concordia, who attended several UCI matches last season.

Junior Larissa Nordyke and 6-foot-2 junior Juliane Piggott, a UCLA transfer by way of Corona del Mar High, have been showing additional promise as hitters in practice, Weishoff said.

Senior McCall Miller is another option at outside hitter.

“Larissa, Kari and Juliane are giving us an incredible amount of kills right now [in practice],” said Weishoff, whose team opens today against No. 6-ranked Cal at the Nevada Invitational in Reno. “And McCall really adds energy, defense and ball control.”

Triggering the attack will be senior Taryn Robertson, who has started her three previous seasons. Robertson’s 11.08 assists per set led the conference last season and her 3,756 career assists rank No. 2 at UCI.

Alexandra Filkins, a 6-1 senior, and 6-0 freshman left-hander Taylor Smith, an All-American at Archbishop Mitty High in San Jose last season, are competing at opposite.

Sophomore Alex Hauser, a 6-2 member of the Big West All-Freshman team last season, 6-0 junior Riley Cropper and 6-1 freshman Courtney Moeller, a converted outside hitter, top the middle blockers.

Freshmen Justin Bonomi and Kristin Winkler top the liberos.