Sports are predicated on those expectations: which teams fall short and which exceed them.

Charles Dickens wrote a novel about them. Preseason polls depict them. Sports analysts get paid to hypothesize about them.

After a 19-8 year, a final national rank of 18th and conference rank of fifth, the UCSD women’s volleyball team, with six returning starters, has high expectations for its 2006 season.

“We’re expecting more poise, confidence and quicker changes,” head coach Tom Black said. “With the fifth year seniors, there’s a lot of hunger on the floor because they really want it.”

Junior captain and senior middle blocker Brianna Koche echoed her coach’s sentiments.

“We’re expecting to win and take care of what we need to do,” Koche said. “Our goal is a national championship and just continuing to build on the success we’ve had so far.”

The No. 11 Tritons have already notched a 9-2 overall record and are well on their way to holding up to the expectations.

The team has recorded victories over Cal Poly Pomona, Cal State Stanislaus, Cal State Bakersfield and Cal State Los Angeles; the two losses came to No. 24 Chico State and seventh-ranked Cal State San Bernardino.

At the season-opening UCSD Invitational on Aug. 24-26, the Tritons went an undefeated 5-0 and never gave up a single game in the tournament. UCSD defeated Western Oregon University and Western Washington University on day one 30-18, 30-21, 30-28 and 30-23, 30-21, 30-21, respectively.

Senior setter Kristin Halvorsen led the Tritons against Western Oregon University with 36 assists, seven digs and six aces. Senior captain Nicole Courtney starred in the nightcap, recording a double-double with 15 kills and 12 digs.

“It’s nice to know [that] what we were training and practiced worked,” Black said. “We executed well.”

The ladies continued to execute well throughout the second day’s doubleheader. The team disposed of the Bryant University Bulldogs 30-15, 30-22, 30-24 and Seattle University 30-24, 30-13, 30-18.

Junior opposite Amber Ries pounded away 15 kills and sophomore outside hitter Rebecca Bailey added another 11 against Bryant University. Koche did her part against Seattle University, totaling seven kills, 11 digs and nine blocks.

UCSD then swept Mesa State 30-12, 30-19, 30-27 on day three to conclude the invitational. The Tritons jumped out to a 25-5 advantage in the first game of the match and never turned back.

Courtney and Ries were honored with spots on the all-tournament team.

“The team played really well too,” Black said. “We were steady. We trained really hard and the girls are committed. We executed how we practiced and played at a high level with little deviation. It was great to see.”

The Tritons rode on the success of Courtney, Ries and the team to begin the regular season, going 3-0 in the first week of play.

However, UCSD hit a brick wall against Chico State, losing 0-3 on Sept. 9 at UCSD.

Cal State San Bernardino also swept the Tritons on Sept. 15, defeating UCSD 30-17, 30-19 and 30-25. Although the Tritons fought hard in game three and pulled to a 13-13 tie, the Coyotes regained control and won the match.

“We had a great week of practice, but we weren’t able to execute our game plan like we expected,” Koche said.

UCSD got back on the winning track on Sept. 16, trouncing defending co-league champions Cal Poly Pomona 31-29, 30-18, 30-16.

Game one began with Cal Poly Pomona pulling ahead 29-28 lead before Courtney pounded one of her 10 kills to up UCSD to 30-29, and very shortly the win. Koche and Bailey added 11 kills each.

“So much is what you’re doing on your side of the court. We felt much better about how we played and that’s most important thing,” Black said.

Next up for UCSD is Cal State Dominguez Hills on Sept. 20 at RIMAC Arena. First serve is at 7 p.m.