Surprising Vols blocking Huskies’ path to first final

SAN ANTONIO – After a long week in the Lone Star State spent practicing volleyball and taking final exams via long distance, it’s finally time for the Washington Huskies to play.

Washington, ranked third, will line up against No. 17 Tennessee in the first of two national semifinals beginning at 4 p.m. in the Alamodome.

In the Final Four for the second consecutive year, the Huskies are looking to advance to the championship match for the first time.

“We understand the demands, and we’re going to control what we can control, and right now, after today’s practice, I really like where we’re at and what we’re doing,” UW coach Jim McLaughlin said Wednesday. “I look at these guys every day. I study them. I watch them. I pay attention, and they’re doing good things.

“They’re doing the right things the right way.”

That attention to detail, McLaughlin said, was evident long before the NCAA shipped the Huskies to first- and second-round matches at Colorado State earlier this month, and before they got back on the plane a week ago for their regional match at Texas A&M.

Washington adopted a businesslike approach after its 23-match winning streak ended at UCLA on Nov. 12. Since the loss, the Huskies have won seven straight matches – all three-game sweeps.

“I’ve been asked that question a lot – ‘Could that help you?’ – and then the next question is, ‘Was the timing right?’ ” McLaughlin said. “Seeing how we responded – practices were a little better, and we also understood if we don’t take care of all the little things, we could get beat – that’s a great thing.”

Four Huskies were honored as All-Americans on Wednesday. Senior outside hitter Sanja Tomasevic and Courtney Thompson, a junior setter, were first-team picks. Senior libero Candace Lee was named to the second team, and sophomore outside hitter Christal Morrison made the third team.

Tonight, Washington (30-1) will face a Tennessee team led by second-team All-American Kristen Andre. The Volunteers (25-8) are in their first Final Four after shocking No. 2 Penn State on its home court last weekend.

Tennessee, which began the season with a record of 0-23 against top-five teams, also owns a victory against No. 4 Florida this year.

“No one really expected anything out of us,” Vols senior outside hitter Amy Morris said. “I think it has really given us a chance to focus on what we need to do and just play our game.”

Tennessee coach Rob Patrick said the Vols likely will have to take chances on defensive schemes or with their serving in an attempt to slow a UW team that boasts the nation’s most efficient offense.

With a win, the favored Huskies could face Nebraska in Saturday’s national championship match in San Antonio. The Huskers, ranked No. 1 all season, will face Santa Clara in today’s other semifinal.

But no one from Washington will be caught looking ahead. Not after a week away from home, and not after falling short of a national title last season.

McLaughlin says the Huskies are a more complete team than last year. Now it’s time to finish things.

“Last year we came here, and I think everyone looked at it as any other game,” Tomasevic said. “It’s not the same thing.

“I think last year we learned a big lesson. The team is not acting that way.”