Volleyball overcomes nerves, wins tourney

Ian Mayer Arizona Daily Wildcat Arizona women's volleyball senior Michelle Fanger (2) digs a ball during a practice session last week. The volleyball team returned to Tucson with a 2-0 record and a first place finish at the Carolina Classic.

The Wildcats returned to Tucson with a 2-0 record and a first place finish at the Carolina Classic with victories over Oklahoma and No. 38 South Carolina Saturday.

No. 20 Arizona got off to a slow start against Oklahoma, splitting the first two games, but went on to defeat the Sooners, 15-12, 15-17, 15-6, 15-9 at the Volleyball Competition Center in Columbia, S.C.

"We weren't very sharp and we were a little nervous," coach Dave Rubio said. "We never got into a good rhythm but it was okay because they had a few kids injured and weren't very efficient passers so it was pretty even."

The Wildcats made up for their poor passing behind the service line as they recorded 16 aces, the third-most in UA history. Freshman Allison Napier served four and tournament MVP Carrie Penfield added three.

Arizona's passing improved in the championship match Saturday night as the Wildcats won the tournament with a 15-7, 15-13, 15-13 win over South Carolina.

"In the second match we came out passing good...The whole team had a little more rhythm. We were able to run our offense and our blocking became more of a factor," Rubio said.

The Wildcats posted 13 team blocks against South Carolina, compared to just six in their earlier match. Penfield, a senior outside hitter, had a game-high 13 kills and finished the tournament with 31.

"I was flattered. I didn't expect (the award) to go to me," said Penfield of her first tournament MVP distinction.

Seniors Michaela Ebben and Michelle Fanger joined Penfield on the all-tournament team. Ebben recorded 85 assists in Arizona's seven games Saturday and Fanger hit a second-best 22 kills.

Rubio kept the starting lineup in tact to begin Saturday night's match but made a change after the first game, replacing Napier with sophomore Raelene Morton.

"Raelene is a little better of a passer and server. She adds more to the team on dynamics. She's not quite as much of a physical presence but she gives the team a better complexion personality wise," Rubio said.

The Gamecocks (1-1) were led by Ashley Edlund, who only missed one attack in eight tries for a .875 hitting percentage.

"This was a gut check for us early. I know we are a better team and we will prove it down the road," South Carolina coach Kim Hudson said. "This match was closer than it appeared."

Arizona agreed.

"We kind of relaxed a little bit too much and then had to play better," Rubio said.

"Our intensity was okay but our intensity kind of relaxed and they came back fighting even harder," added Penfield.

During practice last week Rubio stressed that Arizona needed to concentrate on maintaining its intensity through the entire match.

"We would build big leads and (South Carolina) would end up making a match of it; but I was generally pleased with our effort," he said.

"It was a good weekend for us playing on the road and it was good to get a couple of wins under our belt."