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// 9 PREVIEW // 2014 PAC-12 VOLLEYBALL MEDIA GUIDE Samantha Bricio, USC Inky Ajanaku, Stanford Liz Brenner, Oregon OREGON STATE The Beavers went 9-2 in the non-conference slate last season but had a tough time in Pac-12 play, going winless through the Conference schedule for the third time in school history. Oregon State looks to bounce back on the heels of strong returning talent as four of the five returning starters are seniors with at least two years of experience. Spearheading the Beaver effort is senior Arica Nassar, who led the team in blocks and was third on the team in total kills last year. Sophomore Lila Toner also returns for OSU after leading the team in scoring as a freshman. At libero, the Beavers will be without Becky Defoe, but defensive specialists Darby Reeder and Sydney Francis have enough experience to help anchor OSU's defensive efforts. With so much returning talent, the Beavers will rely on their desire to redeem last season to fuel their efforts going into 2014. STANFORD The Cardinal continue to build upon its already established success as a top volleyball program capturing its 13th-consecutive 20-win season and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament regional final. With five AVCA All-American honorees returning in 2014, Stanford is setting its sights on a seventh NCAA title and third under head coach John Dun- ning. In 2013, Stanford is looking to make a return to the national semifinals, an accomplishment it has not accomplished since 1998. A strong junior class that has contributed significantly since arriv- ing on campus as freshmen make the Cardinal a strong contender. Outside hitters Jordan Burgess and Brittany Howard, middle blocker Inky Ajanaku and 2013 Pac-12 Setter of the Year Madi Bugg bolster Stanford's starting core. In addition to them, Stanford also has honorable mention AVCA All-American selection Kyle Gilbert at libero to anchor the defense. The Cardinal jump into the melee as its non-conference schedule features the likes of defending NCAA Champion Penn State, Illinois, Nebraska, Iowa State, Duke, San Diego and CS Northridge, all of which advanced to the postseason in 2013. UCLA The Bruins had an uncharacteristic down season in 2013, missing out on the postseason for the first time since 1996. UCLA looks to bounce back from a on the strength of a strong senior class that includes three of its most notable players from last season in leading scorer Karsta Lowe, leading blocker Zoë Nightingale and starting setter Megan Moenoa. Lowe, who averaged 4.68 points per set last season, was an honorable mention AVCA All-American and an All-Pacific South Region first-team honoree. That senior class will lead a tauted incoming class that features three true freshmen and four transfers. Notable newcomers include UC Santa Barbara sophomore transfer Taylor Formico, the 2012 Big West Freshman of the Year and a first-team All-Big West selection, and CS Fullerton transfer Julie Consani, who recorded over 2,000 assists in her three-year collegiate career. PRESEASON NOTEBOOK USC The Trojans return four starters and 11 letterwinners overall from last season's squad that was one victory shy of 30 wins. USC retains its two-top scorers from 2013 in outside hitters Samantha Bricio and Ebony Nwanebu, and have five other outside hitters that make USC a strong title contender. The offense will be under the senior leadership of Hayley Crone and sophomore Alice Pizzasegola, who managed the team's two-rotation setter system last season. Head coach Mick Haley will have to rely on some inexperienced players to fill the open middle blocker role alongside returnee Hannah Schraer after the departure of All-American Alexis Olgard, with junior Alicia Ogoms being the only other listed middle blocker with playing experience for the Trojans. The biggest challenge for USC this year, however, will be replacing three-time Pac-12 Libero of the Year and three-time All-American Natalie Hagglund, who was a centerpiece of the Trojans' defense the last four seasons. UTAH The Utes have found their place in the Pac-12 after 2013 saw another year of improvement for the squad. Utah advanced to the postseason and had the most victories in a single season since 2008. Utah's biggest strength this year is a solid core of returning starters that headline the roster. Seniors Shelby Dalton and Chelsey Schofield return for their final season with the Utes after leading the team in scoring in 2013. Utah also had another outstanding blocking performance, coming in ninth nationally in blocks per set, marking the third-straight year the Utes have been in the top 10 in that category. Also returning for the Utes are setters Kendall Cygan and Kalee Kirby, who split the setter duties last season in Utah's offense. It will be difficult to find a replace- ment for Erin Redd-Brandon, who was one of the top all-around players in the league. But Utah has plenty of depth to compensate and potentially make an even deeper run in the postseason. 2014 PRESEASON ALL-PAC-12 Inky Ajanaku, Stanford Liz Brenner, Oregon Samantha Bricio, USC Madi Bugg, Stanford Jordan Burgess, Stanford Macey Gardner, Arizona State Christina Higgins, California Kyra Holt, Washington State Brittany Howard, Stanford Madi Kingdon, Arizona Karsta Lowe, UCLA Kaleigh Nelson, Washington Ebony Nwanebu, USC Taylor Simpson, Colorado Krista Vansant, Washington