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UA fights way up from 0-2 deficit to win in 5 games

Arizona Daily Wildcat AARON FARNSWORTH From left to right: Allison Napier, Raelene Elam, Dana Burkholder, and Shannon Torregrosa pump each other up before winning the match point last night at McKale Center against OSU. The Wildcats won in the fifth game with a score of 17-15.

What is the sound of one team jelling?

If you ask UA head volleyball coach David Rubio, the sound of a team coming together was clearly audible last night as the Wildcats battled back from a two-game deficit to defeat Oregon State in five games by the score of 6-15, 1-15,15-11,15-5, 17-15 in their Pacific10 conference opener. The win was also Rubio's 250th career victory.

"This is one of the most dramatic comebacks I've ever been a part of," Rubio said. "What a way to win."

The Wildcats, who were swept by No. 5 Nebraska last Saturday, were ambushed by the upstart Beavers, scoring just seven points in the first two games. The Wildcats made numerous unforced errors, especially in game two, a game which saw UA score just one point.

"We missed serves left and right," freshman Lisa Rutledge said. "We couldn't serve and we couldn't receive. That's pretty much how the first two games went."

Down big in the second game, Rubio systematically removed four of his six starters as the second team bore the brunt of Oregon State, finally losing by the score of 15-1.

"I was on the sidelines practicing my pep talk," Rubio said. "I sat the starters and wanted to see what the backups could do."

Junior middle blocker Marisa DaLee played as little as she has all year.

"Playing both the front and back rows can be mentally taxing," Rubio said. "Marisa fell victim to emotional and mental fatigue tonight. A rest is exactly what she needed."

A visibly angry Rubio stumbled upon something. All 12 Wildcats saw action last night, giving each starter a chance to rest for what would be a long match. UA came back to win games three and four, forcing a fifth and decisive game.

"Everybody played tonight," Rutledge said. "It made everyone feel like they were a part of the comeback."

The final game saw the Wildcats eke out a 17-15 victory, the 16th time the Wildcats have won in the final game in their past 18 matches that went the distance.

"I really don't follow the numbers game," Rubio said. "But to get No. 250 like this, it's amazing. If you're a betting man, you wouldn't have laid your chips down on us tonight. But we won anyway."

The Wildcats will hope to avoid a letdown tonight as they face off against Oregon, a team which was swept by Arizona State 15-2, 17-15, and 15-1.

Rubio is still concerned, especially after this nail-biter.

"I can preach all I want," Rubio said, "But the only way we can avoid a loss to Oregon is to just go out there and play. (Senior outside hitter) Raelene Elam will keep the girls in check. I can guarantee that."