Arizona looks to continue NCAA streak

Nicholas Valenzuela Arizona Daily Wildcat UA middle-blocker Marisa DaLee(12) returns a ball during a game ealier this season. The womens volleyball team looks forward to the upcoming season with offseason training.

En route to their fifth NCAA Tournament appearance in six years, the Wildcats finished last season with a No. 20-ranking and a 22-7 overall record (12-6 Pac-10).

Head coach David Rubio said the team's offseason training in spring practices is crucial if the players want to make significant improvements upon their performance last year.

"This whole system is about progression right now," Rubio said. "The team needs to be committed in the spring and developed physically in order to compete in the fall."

Rubio is conducting his final spring practice today, concluding a seven week training period. The practices have been a time of experimentation for his squad, he said.

"Last season we had (sophomore) Allison Napier playing left side hitter," Rubio said. "We have moved her inside for the spring and by the looks of her performance, we'll probably follow through with that in the fall."

Napier's move to middle blocker comes in part due to the graduation of senior Keisha Johnson Demps, who was an All-Pac-10 selection in 1998. There, Napier will join junior middle blocker Marisa DaLee, who led the Wildcats last season and looks to do the same in 1999. As a sophomore, DaLee led the Pac-10 in hitting percentage (.386) and was also named to the All-Pac-10 squad.

Across the court, Rubio described the competition for the starting left side job as an "all out war."

"We have some great players in Lesley (DuBois), Lisa (Rutledge) and Shannon (Torresgrosa)," he said. "Everyday at practice is going to be very intense."

Rutledge and Torresgrosa are both incoming freshmen from the San Diego area. Rutledge comes to Tucson from Vista High School, where she also competed as a member of the Strictly Volleyball club team. Torresgrosa attended University City High School and played with the Sunset Club.

Also leading the Wildcats in 1999 will be sophomore setter Dana Burkholder, who established UA freshman records for matches started, assists, assists per game, digs and digs per game in 1998. Burkholder's 12.46 assists per game was also fifth-best in the Pac-10.

Rubio said not only did he see Burkholder as a physical leader, but as a moral leader as well.

"Dana has natural leadership skills," he said. "The players come out and want to get better with Dana around them."

Keith Carmona can be reached at Keith.Carmona@wildcat.arizona.edu