USC VOLLEYBALL: THE IMPORTANCE OF IMPORTS TROJANS GAIN STANDOUTS FROM POLAND TO LEAD SCORING PUNCH.

Byline: ERIK BOAL Special to the Daily News

With USC's women's volleyball team losing nearly 60 percent of its offensive production to graduation, coach Mick Haley attempted to fill the voids in his lineup by exploring the junior-college circuit and searching for European players, two recruiting trails that have led the Women of Troy to past glory.

With Asia Kaczor, he got the best of both worlds.

The Polish national team member, born Joanna Marika Kaczor, wasn't the first from her country to play at College of Southern Idaho, arriving a year later than longtime friend Marta Siemiatkowska. But the presence of the 6-foot-4 Kaczor, a native of Wroclaw, Poland, bode well not only for the Golden Eagles, but for the future of USC volleyball.

``As soon as I got to Idaho, I was going to USC,'' said Kaczor, who recorded 605 kills, 307 digs, 62 blocks and 89 aces last season en route to receiving National Junior College Player of the Year honors.

``I didn't consider any other schools because I knew that's where I wanted to go.''

After leading College of Southern Idaho to its eighth national championship, Kaczor left the two-year school for Los Angeles, giving Haley a package deal when Siemiatkowska, originally recruited to play at Tennessee, also decided to attend her ``dream school.''

``I think (Asia) is one of the top players to ever play at the junior college level,'' said former College of Southern Idaho coach Ben Stroud, after leading the Golden Eagles to a 50-2 record. ``She has great size, smarts and power. Everything she does, she does well.''

Despite her apprehension about learning different blocking and defensive schemes, let alone a better grasp of the English language, Kaczor's offensive production hasn't slowed down since arriving at USC.

``You're always thankful for the opportunities,'' said Kaczor, who leads the Pacific-10 Conference in kills (4.96) and points (5.67) per game. ``It's something new in your life and it's a chance to play with great players and learn the language.''

The Pac-10 and All-Pacific Region selection leads No. 5 USC (27-4) with 541 kills entering today's NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 match in the Honolulu regional against No.12 Hawaii (28-5) at 9 p.m. PST at the Stan Sheriff Center.

``I heard about (Stanford's) Cynthia Barboza and (Washington's) Christal Morrison and how amazing they were and I knew the U.S. (women's) team is really highly ranked, so I didn't know what to expect,'' she said. ``I just wanted to play in the starting six.''

With the graduation of Bibiana Candelas and Staci Venski, who combined for 945 kills last year, and outside hitter Jessica Gysin returning from an ACL injury, Haley looked to Kaczor to make an immediate impact. The junior didn't disappoint.

``Asia can play on either the left side or the right side,'' said Haley, who on Yugoslavian talent and former Moorpark College standout Nena Siljegovic as his setter the past two years. ``She is a great passer, as well as a strong defensive player.''

Kaczor is only nine digs shy of 200, but it is her pursuit of Jennifer (Kessy) Boss' single-season kill record that has garnered plenty of attention in recent weeks.

``People have told me about it, but I don't even think about it,'' said Kaczor, who is 13 kills shy of the 1998 record posted by the former All- American, who is currently one of the AVP tour's top players.

``It's always nice to be recognized, but it's not important for what we want to accomplish as a team.''

Siemiatkowska is Kaczor's biggest fan in her attempt to rewrite the Women of Troy record books, with teammates often referring to the duo by the name ``Marsha.''

``Even though it's her and not me, she's Polish and she's my friend and that's something special,'' said Siemiatkowska, a native of Kalisz, Poland, who recorded 476 kills in two seasons at College of Southern Idaho. ``We are far away from our family, but volleyball is a big part of our lives. I'm happy I decided to come here with Asia.''

Kaczor and Siemiatkowska hope their first trip to Hawaii results in USC's fourth Final Four appearance in five years.

``I love to spend time with the team every chance I get, but it's an important (match) and everything's at stake, so I want to do my job as well as I can,'' Kaczor said. ``It's all business.''

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