CALIFORNIA GAME WOMEN'S NCAA PLAY COMES WEST.

Byline: LEE BARNATHAN University Beat

Things seem to be back to normal in NCAA women's volleyball. Despite sending seven seeded teams on the road for the first two rounds, all 16 seeded teams, including No. 4 USC, No. 7 Pepperdine and No. 8 UCLA, won and reached this weekend's regionals.

Also, the NCAA righted itself and awarded women's volleyball regionals to the top four seeds. The week before, in breaking with tradition, it sent No. 2 Nebraska, No. 4 USC and five others on the road.

It also was the right thing to do because it evened out cross-country travel. Last week, seeded teams in the West were sent east. This week, three regionals are in California: at Long Beach, Stanford and the Sports Arena. Nebraska is the fourth regional site.

The Trojans, Waves and Bruins had easy times in their first two rounds. This weekend will be different.

--USC: How fortunate are the Trojans (24-3) that the NCAA seeded them fourth instead of fifth. That way, they get to play host to Arizona, ranked fourth but seeded fifth. USC swept Arizona here Sept. 29. Had the region been in Tucson instead of here, the Wildcats would have the advantage to reach the Final Four next weekend in San Diego. Arizona swept USC there Oct. 25.

But first things first. USC must get by No. 13 Ohio State at the Sports Arena at 7 tonight in the second match of a doubleheader. April Ross, Jennifer Pahl, Katie Olsovsky and company probably will, but it won't be as easy as the first two rounds. The Buckeyes (27-3) average as many kills per game (17 1/2) as the Trojans. Their attack percentage (.311 for OSU, .318 for USC) is almost even, as are their assists per game (15.77 OSU, 16.02 USC) and blocks per game (2.12 OSU, 2.98 USC). But USC averages two more digs a game, which can add up.

It's possible Ohio State will pose more of a challenge than Arizona or No. 12 Pacific. But the Trojans should prevail because they remember the Wildcats beat them.

--Pepperdine: The Waves (23-3) are one of just two seeded teams traveling east this weekend (Hawaii is the other). Beating No. 10 Florida (27-1) on Friday in Lincoln, Neb., is likely. Beating host, defending NCAA champion and No. 2 Nebraska on Saturday will be much more difficult.

Aury Cruz leads the Gators with a 4.8-kill-per-game average, comparable to Pepperdine's Katie Wilkins (5.03). But there's a dropoff to the next hitter, Benavia Jenkins (3.06 kpg). Meanwhile, Pepperdine's Stacy Rouwenhorst (3.74 kpg) and Brie Harris (3.29) complement Wilkins. The Waves have too much depth and will end Florida's win streak at 25 matches.

But then comes the Cornhuskers (29-1), who play No. 9 Colorado State on Friday. Middle blocker Amber Holmquist hits .411 and averages almost two blocks a game. Outside hitter Nancy Metcalf averages 4.28 kills, followed by Laura Pilakowski with 3.39 kills per game. It adds up to too much for the Waves.

--UCLA: Beating No. 9 Hawaii (29-5) tonight (5 p.m.) at Long Beach State is possible, since the Bruins (20-8) won in Hawaii Sept. 2. Beating No. 1-ranked, top-seeded and undefeated Long Beach State is another matter.

With outside hitter Kristee Porter, the Bruins have a bona fide hitter capable of changing the course of a match single-handedly. Plus, Erika Selsor is a quality setter, and Van Nuys graduate Angela Eckmier blocks well at the net. Hawaii will be without Eckmier's sister, Melody, out with a knee injury.

Long Beach State (30-0) is so deep that no team has been able to stop it. It begins with hitter Cheryl Weaver, a national Player of the Year candidate who averages 5.23 kills per game against Top 25 teams. It continues with Tayyiba Haneef, who averages almost five kills per game this season. If you try to key on them, five others are ready to contribute. Elisha Thomas led the team with 14 kills in the first round against San Diego State.

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Photo:

Jennifer Pahl of USC practices in preparation for tonight's NCAA Tournament game against 13th-ranked Ohio State at the Sports Arena.

Gus Ruelas/Staff Photographer