By
Kamy Shaygan
Arizona Daily Wildcat
DeLee, Burkholder named all-tournament
Two out of three isn't bad. Especially when the UA volleyball team is setting team records in the process.
Despite losing their first match of the season to No. 14 UC Santa Barbara, the No. 10 Wildcats bounced back to defeat San Diego State and University of San Diego at the 'Diggin' It' 2000 Tournament held in San Diego.
Against San Diego State, Arizona set a new school record by posting a .483 team hitting percentage.
"I was really pleased at the level of play," UA head coach Rubio said. "It was a really good situation."
Despite losing its first two games against the Gauchos Friday, UA rebounded to win their next two games, sending the match to a fifth game.
The Wildcats didn't have enough to outlast UC Santa Barbara in game five as they were defeated, 15-8.
Rubio believed that the reason the Wildcats lost their first two games was a result of nerves.
"We came out really anxious and never got relaxed until the third game," he said. "I knew we were a much better team than the first two games. We would have beat Santa Barbara in three if we were relaxed."
The players also seemed to feel that they were plagued in their first two games by a case of season-opening jitters.
"It was the first game of the season, and we went in really uneasy," sophomore outside hitter Lisa Rutledge said.
Rubio agreed.
"We couldn't seem to rally enough," he said. "I was disappointed in game five."
The pressure of the fifth game also got to the players as they played tense.
"Going in to the fifth game, it was a little bit uneasy and there was some tension," Rutledge said.
After their defeat on the opening day, the Wildcats opened up the second day of play by defeating tournament host San Diego State in three games 15-5, 15-2, 15-7.
The Wildcats closed out the tournament on Saturday night, defeating the University of San Diego in four games.
Wildcat senior middle blocker Marisa DaLee, who posted 24 kills against the Toreros, was named to the Diggin' It 2000 All-Tournament Team along with Arizona junior setter Dana Burkholder.
"The difference between Marisa this year and last year is so significant," Rubio said. "She is so physical and dominating at the net; there is no one that can stop her."
Burkholder's successful tournament was the result of clutch play and intelligent decision-making.
"She makes tremendous outstanding sets in some critical moments," Rubio said. "She has a real concept of what she is trying to do right now."
Even though the Wildcats dropped their opening match to the lower-ranked Gauchos, the results were pleasing to freshman outside hitter Christina Frost.
"We started off this season better than last," she said. "I think our team is headed in the right direction."
