From the Bench... Nov. 11, 2002 – Fullerton, Calif.
Coach Al Mistri:
"We are very much in control of our own destiny as far as reaching
the NCAA playoffs. The West region has had a remarkable year and it appears
10 or more teams will make the bracket. It seems almost certain that UC
Santa Barbara and Cal State Northridge are 'in,' regardless of what happens
this week, so wins over them would dramatically improve our chances.
"In effect, the playoffs begin this week for us and the players know
it. We are focused and fired up. These are must-win games, but they are
games we can win. We've only lost two matches since the begining of conference
play, both to the teams we are playing this week. Not that last week (3-2
2ot win at UCR and 2-0 home win over Cal Poly) was easy. But the bottom
line is we have a chance. A chance to make certain that the news of our
death earlier in the season was grossly exaggerated.
"UCSB has clearly proven they are the class of the conference. They
are big and physical and play a style of directness. We did a pretty good
job of containing Rob Friend in our first match (a 2-1 loss at UCSB on
Oct. 12). He's a handful. But they have others who can step up and do
some damage. (Drew) McAthy is an excellent player. We don't have the equivalent
of their physical presence. Going back to the days when I really watched
basketball, we have a Gail Goodrich in Hector Orellana going up against
a Wilt Chamberlain in Friend.
"Cal State Northridge is an extremely technical team. Physically,
we match up better against them. In our previous match (a 2-1 loss at
Fullerton on Oct. 30), they took advantage of a quick counter. It will
be important for us to put pressure on their sweeper, (Edwin) Miranda,
No. 7. We will have to look for breakdowns in their team discipline."
