High hopes for Huskies as NCAA Tournament takes the Dawgs to Colorado

After finishing the 18-match Pac-10 season in second place, the Washington volleyball team will start the 2006 NCAA Tournament tonight in Boulder, Colo.

"I think the Pac-10 overall was harder than it has ever been in my four years here, one through 10, and that's always tiring," said senior Courtney Thompson. "Towards the second half of the Pac-10 there is always a time where you gotta come together, say, 'Come on guys, we gotta stick this out and keep going.' But once the tournament comes that kind of goes away; it's a new season, you're fired up, your emotions come back and you get that energy back."

The Huskies will face Colorado State in the first round of the tournament at the Coors Event Center. Even though the stakes are higher than they have been all year, the team plans to approach the game the same as it has any other.

"We don't want to change anything," said junior Stevie Mussie. "We keep our routines the same and it's the same as the first week."

After upsetting No. 9 Utah Sunday to win the Mountain West Conference tournament, the Rams (20-9) will pose a formidable challenge to the Huskies.

"We've been tested, we're ready, let's fight, and if there's one thing this team knows how to do, we know how to fight," Thompson said. "We're confident in what we can do and we'll play anybody. We're going to have to play anyone to win it all, so we might as well start now."

This will mark the third time the UW has met Colorado State in post-season play. In 2002, Washington knocked the Rams off in the first round, and last year the Huskies swept Colorado State in the second round on their home court.

They have a good team with a couple of quick hitters and good defense, said coach Jim McLaughlin.

"If we play the way we are capable of, we will be fine," he said.

Colorado State outside hitter Jaime Strauss, a sophomore, earned MWC tournament MVP honors after hitting .311 for the tournament with 4.33 kills per game. Sophomore Mekana Barnes also provides plenty of hitting, with an average of 3.15 kills per game for a .288 hitting percentage.

The Rams' defense is headed by freshman Katelin Batten, who averages 3.83 digs per game. At middle blocker, both Barnes and freshman Tessa Nelson average about one block per game.

"We're not worried about any other team," Thompson said. "We're respectful of other teams, but we know what we can do. We've learned that if we do what can do in this conference, which is the best conference in the country, we can win against anybody ... so it's comforting to know that it's under our control."

The Huskies, who had six players earn spots on All-Pac-10 rosters, will bring plenty of their own play-makers to the court.

All-Americans Thompson and junior Christal Morrison made the All-Pac-10 first team for the third time. Also making the team were both of the UW's middle blockers, sophomore Jessica Swarbrick and junior Alesha Deesing for her second time. Senior Janine Sandell made the honorable mention team, along with freshman Tamari Miyashiro, who was also named to the conference freshman team.

With a win tonight, the Huskies will face the winner of Colorado versus New Mexico State Friday night.

Reporter James Schleicher: jamesschleicher@thedaily.washington.edu