IT ALL ADS UP With the talent, experience and drive to succeed, the Aggies seem poised for a special season By Rusty Burson

Outsiders might label it as nothing more than a joke, citing an example of "Aggie math." But the veteran members of the Texas A&M volleyball team visualize the equation quite clearly, deciphering the denominators, hypothesizing on the variable factors and expounding on the theory of probability.

Six plus five equals four. Don’t bother pulling out the calculators. It’s a theory that is probably more psychological than mathematical.

Six starters back in the lineup plus five seniors on the roster equals a Final Four appearance.

Pi in the sky scenario? A parabola parable?

Perhaps, but the theory is based on a proven 1999 formula of success in which five starters plus four seniors equaled the Elite Eight.

All-America setter Jenna Moscovic

Deductive reasoning, says senior setter Jenna Moscovic, suggests the possibilities for this year are exponential.

"Two years ago, we had a bunch of seniors that were really motivated, ready to push us all the way, and we went all the way to the Elite Eight," said Moscovic, a starter on the 1999 team that shocked No. 3 Hawaii in the round of 16. "Now, this year, we kind of stepped up and said that we wanted to do the same thing that they did a couple years ago, but take it to the next level.

"We want to get the Final Four. That’s our main goal, and we think that with all the experience we have and a bunch of young talent that came in, we can really do that."

Ninth-year Texas A&M head coach Laurie Corbelli isn’t quite as focused on the final destination as some of her players. But Corbelli does sense something special about this team. It can be summed up in one word: experience.

"It’s really refreshing and a different feeling from other seasons because there is a certain point we can begin at and know that we can go beyond where we get to go with younger teams," said Corbelli, the winningest coach in A&M history. "They already know things, they are already comfortable with things, which is one aspect of it that is really fun from a coaching standpoint. We have a team with so much experience and confidence that I think we will have a lot of success breaking opponents down early."

A&M, which began the season Aug. 31 in the Crowne Plaza/Rice Invitational tournament, certainly appears to be one of the powers in the Big 12. But reaching the Final Four of the NCAAs may be an easier task for the Aggies than winning their own conference.

Defending national champion Nebraska is to collegiate volleyball what the Michael Jordan-led Bulls were to the NBA and what the 1970s Steelers were to the NFL. In a word, the Huskers have been dominant.

Nebraska has won four of the first five Big 12 Conference titles and has 23 Big Eight/Big 12 championships in the past 25 seasons. And last year, the Huskers were absolutely perfect, going 34-0 en route to the national title.

The Aggies hope to celebrate some more with a trip to the Final Four.

Here’s the bad news for the Aggies and the rest of the Big 12: NU could be even better in 2001. The Husker return National Player of the Year Greichaly Cepero, first-team All-American Laura Pilakowski and second-team All-American Amber Holmquist. In addition, Nebraska returns two-time All-American Nancy Metcalf, who sat out last season after training with the U.S. National Team.

No matter, say the Aggies. Winning a Big 12 title would be nice, but the primary objective for this team is to get deeper into the NCAA Tournament than any other team in A&M history.

"They’re huge and its hard to not be intimidated," Moscovic said of the Huskers. "We know they’re a great team and they could be even better than they were last year. We just have to focus on our game and we can still make it all the way if we don’t beat them twice. The goal is to get the Final Four.

"We want to win the Big 12, but we’re kind of looking at the Big 12 as kind of just the preseason for the NCAAs. I think our goal is to split with Nebraska, so we want to take them at home and I think we can take them at home because our place is just as intimidating as Nebraska’s. If we split with them, then we could easily tie with them for the Big 12 championship."

To do that, the A&M seniors must carry the load. Moscovic and outside hitter Erin Lechler are legitimate All-America candidates, while fellow senior outside hitter Michelle Cole is undoubtedly one of the team’s sparkplugs. Meanwhile senior defensive specialist/outside hitter Beth Weynand and senior outside hitter Brandi Mount have a ton a court experience, combining to make 27 starts last season.

It all adds up to a savvy, senior-laden team that is outraged to only be ranked at No. 18 in the preseason.

"I personally think we are better than the 18^th-ranked team in the nation, but I don’t care to be ranked that high early," said Corbelli, who has guided the Aggies into the NCAA Tournament in each of her first eight seasons. "I think that it is great motivating factor. We’re more comfortable, this group’s more comfortable not being in the spotlight. But nationally, they want to rise in the rankings. They have that to strive for, so I think that it is perfect. Theses seniors are leading the charge."

With so many seniors, it’s easy to lose sight of some of the younger players. But for the Aggies to reach their lofty goals, some youngsters must step up in a big way, especially middle blockers Tara Pulaski and Carol Price.

The key personnel loss from last year was the departure of middle blocker Heather Marshall, who finished second on the team in 2000 with 340 kills. Price and Pulaski, both sophomores, will have the first opportunity to fill in for Marshall.

But true freshman Carrie Moreira, Kendra Felder and Melissa Munsch – all middle blockers and members of the 10th-ranked recruiting class in the nation last year – will be pushing for playing time, as well.

"It’s probably the strongest freshman class ever," Corbelli said of the quartet, which also includes setter Lexy Beers. "Especially for preseason drills, to see the impact they’re making this early in the season is really exciting. They will add a lot to this team.

"I think what is so neat about this particular team is that they’re kind of focusing on, ‘Why not, why not us?’ We know we’re a stronger team unit, and I think the players hold each other accountable and they know they have to be together. It’s a really exciting team to be around, and we’ll have a lot of fun trying to reach our goals."