Cougs Look To Improve Their Focus Oru Loss Still Painful As ‘97 Tourney Opens

She vividly remembers it as a blur.

And Shannon Wyckoff never wants that sickening feeling to return.

It happened two years ago, and the No. 11-ranked Cougars were feeling pretty good about themselves as they entered a second-round NCAA Tournament match playing host to unranked Oral Roberts University.

Boom! 16-14, 15-6, 15-10, ORU wins.

“I’ll never forget it because I was the one standing in the back of the press conference crying,” said Wyckoff, now a senior co-captain, “I couldn’t even talk. I was in the back of the room with (athletic director) Rick Dickson’s arm around me. I couldn’t pull myself together.”

The loss made a profound impact on the way Wyckoff, a 5-foot-11 outside hitter, approaches each competition. She said she gets frustrated when Cougars backers - and even some teammates - look past certain teams, like the ones the Cougars are supposed to beat.

Like Lehigh, a first-time NCAA Tournament participant that plays Washington State in an opening-round match Saturday night at Bohler Gym. The Mountain Hawks (18-12) enter as unranked overachievers, winning five of their last six matches and upsetting a postseason conference tournament field.

Oddly enough, the Cougars enter with the same number of losses they had two years ago (six) and with the same ranking (No. 11).

The winner plays the winner of the No. 21 Colorado State/American University match Sunday afternoon with an invitation to the Central Regional on the line. Based on seeding, Washington State and Colorado State are expected to survive Saturday’s first round.

But don’t discuss that with Wyckoff.

“That’s kinda the general atmosphere around here,” she said. “Not very many people understand where I’m coming from. The people that were here two years ago, yeah, but even they’re talking about Colorado State. The first time we overlooked a team we got bit in the rear end.”

Wyckoff is one of four seniors who will be closing out her college career during the tournament. This weekend likely will bring Wyckoff, Keren Oigman, Elis Arias and Stephanie Papke’s final match in Pullman.

“It’s amazing that everything I ever worked for and everything I’ve done in my career is almost over. That’s the sad part,” she said.

Her sadness will hit hardest when it comes time to say goodbye to her teammates, especially best friend, roomie and confidant Jennifer Stinson.

The two have lived together for two years and share common interests far beyond volleyball.

Both are majoring in elementary education, with Stinson a year behind. Both were named to the Pacific-10 Conference all-academic second-team and both are gifted athletes with mild-mannered personalities.

“We’ve already talked about it,” said Wyckoff, fast-forwarding to her May graduation. “It’s going to be the hardest thing when I have to move out and move on. If I had my choice, I would continue to be her roommate for the rest of my life, but I don’t think that’s a possibility.”

Wyckoff and Stinson also both date student-athletes. Stinson goes out with a WSU baseball player. Wyckoff has been dating Cougars quarterback Ryan Leaf, “off and on for about a year.”

Right now, she said it’s “on.” And what better place to be on Jan. 1 than at the Rose Bowl? She, Stinson and members of both their families will be there when the Cougars challenge No. 1 Michigan.

Wyckoff recognizes her relationship with Leaf could be spoiled if she were to let his notoriety get in the way. But she hasn’t.

“He deserves it. He works hard and he’s had this dream. It’s his passion and it’s all paying off.

“There’s no way I’m in competition with that,” said Wyckoff, breaking into laughter.

Wyckoff, from Vancouver, Wash., has had her own successful career as a Coug. She’s been starting since her freshman year, constantly battling Arias and junior Jennifer Canevari for playing time.

Just two weeks ago, she became the first player in school history to surpass the 1,000-career kills and 1,000-career digs mark. Since then, Oigman has joined the quadruple-quadruple club.

Wyckoff’s 1,187 digs are the most in school history and her 1,012 kills rank fifth all-time.

“Shannon gets the least attention of anybody because she’s quiet,” WSU coach Cindy Fredrick said. “She’s one of those players that you say ‘Gosh, what a good person. She’s never a problem. She always does what’s asked of her.’ We’ll miss her consistency.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo