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By ROD GIPSON
© St. Petersburg Times, published September 7, 2001
TAMPA -- During most of his tenure as the University of Tampa volleyball coach, and certainly in recent years, Chris Catanach and the Spartans have become used to winning -- a lot.
But to hear Catanach explain that success, he'll credit ... losing. Several early-season losses have helped propel the Spartans to great heights, even put some of Catanach's squads on the cusp of national championships.
Take 1996 for instance. UT lost four of its first six matches but went on to become the NCAA runners-up. In '98 and '99, the Spartans got off to rough starts (1-2 and 3-3) but finished as national semifinalists and runners-up, respectively. And last season, after an early upset loss, UT lost only three more times all season en route to a 29-4 season and an appearance in the NCAA quarterfinals.
"Sometimes, I think it's better to lose a little early in the season," said Catanach, whose team is hosting this weekend's Tampa Classic II, featuring No. 2 West Texas A&M, Palm Beach Atlantic and Embry-Riddle.
"Sometimes, teams learn from that. They learn what it takes to improve, and they learn a lot about the teams that beat them."
Case in point.
UT, 4-1 and ranked 12th by the American Volleyball Coaches Association poll, already has lost to No. 14 Alabama-Huntsville. The Chargers are indicative of the quality competition UT faces regularly in the Sunshine State Conference and regional play.
And coming up on the Spartans' schedule in the next few weeks are SSC rival and No. 10-ranked Barry, always solid SSC rival Florida Southern and North Florida and Armstrong Atlantic, both of which received votes in the latest AVCA poll.
And Catanach said he believes the schedule can only help.
"We realize where we want to be," Catanach said. "And we know it's vital we come out and play better later on in the season."
UT's lineup is almost intact from a season ago. They miss the big hits Kam Gillispie provided. But in sophomore hitters Ania Ruiz, Sandi Fox and setter Gretchen Naruta plus improved junior middle hitter Tiffany Boatwright, the Spartans' foundation is solid.
Senior middle hitter Lisa Webster and junior defensive specialist Krissi MacIntyre round out a starting lineup loaded with experience.
In Boatwright and Ruiz, UT has two players collectively averaging more than seven kills a game. Add in Fox's three kills per game, Webster's 2.4 and Lacey Myers' 2.1, and there is a lineup that can produce 15 kills a game.
"We have improved our skills as individuals," Catanach said. "But the difference between this year and last year will be how much we grow as a team."
And although it might have been hard to spot as the Spartans were cruising through regular-season and postseason play, that growth and cohesiveness wasn't always there last season.
That's why Catanach said he is pleased so far with this group. "The difference is how much more mature this group is," he said. "And not just skill-wise. It's other things like trust, going that extra mile for your teammates and team character.
"Those are the things that will make a difference."