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Wildcats back home against Trojans

Call it an L.A. story. The UA volleyball team will try to complete their first season sweep of USC since 1986 tonight in McKale Center at 7 p.m.

"Thursday night's match is the first of the weekend series," UA head coach David Rubio said. "Traditionally, teams are better prepared for the first one. The second night is more of a roll of the dice."

The Wildcats (12-5 overall, 6-3 Pacific 10 Conference) are coming off of a split at Stanford and California, a weekend which saw UA threaten the Cardinal in the first game and then score just six points in the following two games. The bipolar Wildcats fought back to sweep the Golden Bears on Saturday, as junior middle blocker Marisa DaLee logged 14 kills.

"Marisa and (freshman outside hitter) Lisa Rutledge have been very steady lately," Rubio said. "There are very few middle blockers in the nation like her (Marisa). She just has to show up and be herself. She has a great enthusiasm for the game and a tremendous right arm for putting the ball away."

The big question for the Wildcats this weekend will be consistency. Following a near-devastating loss to Arizona State a month ago, the Wildcats were grappling for consistent play. Victories over Washington, Washington State and Cal have helped cement the No. 18 Wildcats into a tie for third place in the Pac-10.

"We've had a great week of practice," Rubio said. "Sustaining a level of consistency has been my focus for the entire year. I believe that wins will take care of themselves in the long run if we work hard. By the end of the season, I think we will have matured into a great team."

The Trojans (11-5, 6-3), though, are a team on the rise, and Rubio knows they will be ready to play.

"They didn't play well against us when we played them at S.C.," Rubio said. "They will definitely play motivated volleyball this time. They play in a system with good passing and great defense. They play in a system that they seem comfortable with."

USC is led by a pair of junior outside hitters, Kashi Cormier and Janae Henry.

"Cormier has put great numbers up this year," Rubio said. "And Janae Henry is simply the heart and soul of the team."

Jennifer Pahl, the Trojans' 6-foot-1 middle blocker, will have to play consistent volleyball against the 6-foot-3 DaLee.

"We need to be aware of Pahl," Rubio said. "She's definitely having a great year."