Following the end of last season, everyone involved with the UCLA women’s volleyball team understood that the program was going to experience major reconstruction. The five seniors the program had built itself around for the past four seasons were graduating, and there was going to be a big gap for the younger players to fill. On Wednesday, the day the 2005 women’s volleyball roster was announced, that rebuilding process got a lot tougher, as it was announced that two of UCLA’s brightest stars, outside hitter Becky Green and libero Jessica Fine, would not be returning to the team next season. The would-be junior Green will be getting married this summer to UCLA men’s soccer player Luke Mehring, and will sit out this season for personal reasons, while Fine was dismissed for a violation of team rules. “Both players will be sorely missed,” UCLA coach Andy Banachowski said. “Becky hopefully will settle her personal issues and be able to join the team in a year from now.” Green, at one point the Bruins’ leading hitter last season, finished the year with a 3.00 kills per game average and led the team with .32 service aces per game average. Looking to replace Green at outside hitter will be senior Nancy Barba and junior Katie Carter, who both saw limited playing time last season. “We will have competent replacement at the outside hitter position,” Banachowski said. “At the same time, it will be difficult to replace Becky’s production.” Fine, a former walk-on, was expected to be part of the tough process of replacing four-time All-American Chrissie Zartman at the libero position. Now, junior Laura Kroneberger is the only libero on the roster. “Jessica will have the opportunity to try out again for the team in January, following the completion of our season,” Banachowski said. “Until then, she will have no role on the team.” Fine has appeared in 81 games at UCLA, and recorded a 1.63 digs per game average last season.
SPICER SHINES AGAIN: After being named MVP of the USA Junior Olympics in early July, incoming freshman setter Nellie Spicer was one of 12 players named to the USA Women’s Junior National Team on July 18. The team, competing in the FIVB Junior Women’s U-20 Volleyball World Championships in Turkey, played its opening game against Serbia and Montenegro on Saturday, and faces off against Japan on July 25. The tournament ends July 31.