After a rough start to 2009, the Cougars hope to find their groove today in their first match away from home this season.
Like last weekend’s Flo Hyman Invitational, in which the Cougars finished 1-3, UH will face daunting competition at this weekend’s Wildcat Classic in Tucson, Ariz.
UH faces Eastern Washington (1-2) at 3 p.m. today before playing Arizona (3-0) at 9 p.m. The Cougars will wrap up the tournament against Nevada (1-2) at 1 p.m. Saturday.
UH head coach Bill Walton knows these are formidable opponents, but believes his team can leave Tucson with multiple victories if it refrains from making mistakes.
‘Arizona is a top-20 team. Nevada’s a well-coached team. They’re a little older than us,’ Walton said. ‘I’d like us to have no more than one reception error per game, and I want our hitting percentage to be around .200 or .250. If we do that, you’ll see us win at least two matches this weekend.’
Learning from last week
Walton believes his team’s tough schedule to begin the season will only improve its play in the future. Despite the results of last weekend’s matches, he was encouraged by the Cougars’ performances.’ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘
‘I watched some of the videos and I liked how we played,’ Walton said. ‘We have to pass-serve better ‘hellip; I liked everything else.’
UH was swept by Indiana and Baylor and lost to New Orleans, 3-1, during last weekend’s Flo Hyman Invitational. The Cougars’ inability to gain an advantage left them vulnerable in each of their defeats.
‘We had a chance against Indiana, but we were behind all the time, and it’s hard to play from behind,’ Walton said, ‘We had a real opportunity against New Orleans that we let slip away ‘hellip; we couldn’t finish.’
Walton does not want to make conclusions about his team until they have gained more experience. Although he believes they have a bright future, he knows the Cougars have plenty of room for growth.’ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘
‘We’re still in the learning process. (Developing chemistry) is like mixing a bunch of things and stirring it, and you keep waiting for it to cook and it’s not cooking,’ Walton said. ‘We got the pot on the oven and we’re waiting for it to boil, and it’s not boiling yet, but it will be.’
