KEEPING TRACK / JASON REID : Coleman Settles In, Settles Down at UCLA

UCLA freshman setter Kim Coleman arrived in Westwood with minor expectations--at most--which is confusing in itself. Why would someone with Coleman’s credentials not expect to stand out for the Bruin women’s volleyball team?

This, however, is what really confounded her teammates: despite her talent, Coleman couldn’t seem to convince herself. Instead, she tip-toed around like someone who didn’t belong.

Confused?

Coleman was too.

“I felt intimidated,” Coleman said. “But, really, I don’t want this to sound like a negative story, because it’s not.

“Things are getting better every day. It’s about a million times better than at the beginning. UCLA is such a great school and I love it here.”

Not only is Coleman done riding her emotional roller coaster, she’s reverted to the confident on-court demeanor that helped her excel at Corona del Mar High. Coleman is a key component for the Bruins, who are ranked third in the nation by the American Volleyball Coaches Assn.

Bruin Coach Andy Banachowski wasn’t overly concerned by Coleman’s early behavior. Understandably, though, he’s pleased her turnaround didn’t take too long.

“It just takes some time,” Banachowski said. “Everything is so new to Kim right now, but she’s been coming along great.”

Coleman, 18, is the Bruins’ No. 2 setter behind sophomore Kelly Flannigan. Coleman (6 feet 1) has started four matches and provides a spark with games on the line, Banachowski said.

“She’s done really well coming off the bench,” Banachowski said. “She’s been our ‘Jim Dandy’ to the rescue.

“We go to her when we’re in trouble (because) she gives us steadiness with consistent outside sets. I’m very pleased with her presence.”

Coleman averages 8.85 assists per game. She set personal highs in assists (44) and digs (11) Oct. 1 against Washington State.

“I’ve already played more as a freshman,” Coleman said, “than I thought I would play all four years.”

Her strong play is what Banachowski hoped for, and more, when he persuaded Coleman to turn down Colorado, Hawaii, Pepperdine and UC Santa Barbara to join the Bruins after helping the Sea Kings win consecutive mythical national champions in her junior and senior seasons as an all-county outside hitter.

So why the initial stress?

Nothing but your average growing pains, Coleman said.

“I didn’t think it would be hard to leave home, but it was,” Coleman said. “I mean, I went from having 10 students in one class to 500. I’ve grown a lot in the last three months.”

So much so that she no longer takes her athleticism, and what it’s brought her, for granted.

“It didn’t really hit me until I got here, but athletes are treated so well,” she said. “We get all the support we need, we get tutors and everywhere we go it’s first class.

“I just feel so incredibly lucky to be here.”

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Former El Toro High standout Michelle Mauney also contributes to the Bruins’ success. The 6-2 junior middle blocker is UCLA’s top reserve at her position and has played in 24 matches.

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Hawaii positioned itself to gain a share of the Big West Conference women’s volleyball championship by splitting two pivotal matches with Long Beach State last week at Long Beach.

Sarah Chase and Brandi Brooks are important parts of No. 6 Hawaii’s title run. Chase, a six-foot junior middle blocker from Pacifica High, is second on the Rainbow Wahine in kills with 240 and fourth in the conference in hitting percentage (.366).

“(Sarah) plays with a lot of enthusiasm and excitement that really gets the team motivated,” Rainbow Wahine Coach Dave Shoji said. “She is a finesse player who always seems to make something happen with her court awareness.”

Brooks, a 6-1 senior outside hitter from Estancia High, is seventh on the team in kills. “When she is on,” Shoji said, “positive things happen for us.”

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California All-American senior linebacker Jerrott Willard (Corona del Mar High) is having another fine season, despite his team’s problems.

Willard, a semifinalist for the Dick Butkus and Lombardi awards, is one of the few good things going for the Bears (3-6, 2-4 in the Pacific 10 Conference). He has 82 tackles, including 57 unassisted.

“Jerrott Willard is as good a football player as I’ve ever been around in my 20 years of coaching,” Cal Coach Keith Gilbertson said. “He’s relentless and I don’t think you’ll find a tougher player in the country.”

Twice the conference’s leading tackler, Willard has 457 in his career and is third on the Bears’ all-time list. With only two games remaining, however, Willard probably won’t overtake the top two.

David Ortega (1986-89) tops the list with 525. Hardy Nickerson (1983-86) is second with 501.