VOLLEYBALL

Top Teams

Carrie Schonveld and Penn State eye the top spot. Tom Lynn

1. PENN STATE
In each of the past two years the Nittany Lions have come back from 0-2 deficits in the NCAA finals, only to lose a fifth-game heartbreaker. The experience of senior All-Americas Bonnie Bremner, the nation's best setter, and Lauren Cacciamani, co-MVP of last year's Final Four, will be the difference this year.

2. STANFORD
The Cardinal's exit from the '98 Mountain Regional Semifinals was its earliest since 1993, but senior outside hitter Kerri Walsh and two heralded newcomers, outside hitter Logan Tom and redshirt freshman Lindsey Yamasaki, will make this young team a force.

3. NEBRASKA
As long as her injured lower back cooperates, junior Jill McWilliams will step in as the Huskers' starting setter. She'll have her pick of offensive options, including All-America Nancy Meendering and freshmen Laura Pilakowski and Amber Holmquist.

4. PACIFIC
Senior outside hitter Elsa Stegemann, who spent her summer training with the World University Games team, will be the Tigers' go-to player. Coach John Dunning, with help from middle hitter Tracy Chambers and outside hitter Jennika Smith, will reach his first Final Four since 1990.

5. BYU
A solid recruiting class, led by Sunny Tonga, joins a team that has reached three straight regional finals. Second-team All-America Anna-Lena Smith returns, along with middle Nina Puikkonen, who led the nation in blocks per game last year (2.17).

6. HAWAII
With All-America Heather Bown in the middle and senior Heidi Illustre and junior Jessica Suddoth on the outside, the Rainbow Wahine's main concern will be setting. Coach Dave Shoji will count on freshman Jennifer Carey to handle the load.

7. LONG BEACH STATE
The losses of setter and two-time national player of the year Misty May and All-America Benishe Dillard will hurt the NCAA champs, but freshman middle blocker Elisha Thomas will add depth to the offensive force of two seniors: Anja Grabovac and Veronica Walls.

8. FLORIDA
The Gators have made the NCAA semis in each of the past three years; to get further they'll need great play from senior All-America right-side hitter Jenny Manz, setter Jennifer Sanchez and fifth-year senior Jenny Whitehead.

9. WISCONSIN
The addition of 6'3" Mexican national team middle Claudia Rodriguez will keep the Badgers in the national title hunt.

10. UCLA
The Bruins will return to previous dominance behind Pac-10 freshman of the year Kristee Porter.

Hot Dates

Dec. 16 & 18
NCAA championships, Honolulu

Division II

Five starters return to defending champion Hawaii Pacific 's roster, including a slew of talented foreign players led by senior middle blocker Hai Yan Wang of China and junior outside Flavia Gabinio of Brazil.

Division III

National player of the year Abbie Brown and All-America Candace Wilson return to the middle for Central (Iowa) College and should bring the Dutch back-to-back national titles.

Cybersources

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www.volleyball.org
Schedules, rosters and financial aid information

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