By
Kamy Shaygan
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Wildcats increase winning streak to 8 matches
Chalk up two more victories for the Wildcats.
The No. 13 Arizona women's volleyball team won its seventh and eighth straight matches on the road this weekend against No. 10 Brigham Young University and the University of Utah.
The Wildcats (8-1 overall) upset BYU on Friday night in four games - 15-12, 15-9, 8-15, and 15-5.
Arizona headed north to Provo knowing that the Cougars were going to be one of the toughest teams they would have to face all year.
"They are a very physical team," head coach David Rubio said. "Our blocking did a good job of neutralizing some of their big sticks."
The Wildcats charge against the Cougars was led by sophomore Lisa Rutledge, who finished with 21 kills and seven digs.
"Lisa has been playing very well," Rubio said. "She was putting up some great numbers in the BYU match."
Along with Rutledge, junior Dana Burkholder was one of the key factors that lead to the team's victory.
Burkholder, who broke a school record last weekend by setting 84 assists against ASU, finished with a team high 65 assists along with 16 digs.
"I thought I did pretty well," Burkholder said. "I was proud of the way I led the team."
Despite finishing with 65 assists, Burkholder believes that there is room for improvement when it comes to her setting.
"I think the location on my sets can get a lot better," she said. "I need to get in the gym and work on that."
Senior middle blocker Marisa DaLee found no problems with Burkholder's setting as she finished with 16 kills courtesy of a .462 attacking percentage.
Senior outside hitter Allison Napier also proved her consistency by finishing with 15 kills and three digs.
"Allison Napier has been playing unbelievable," Rubio said.
Burkholder agreed.
"I think Allie has really stepped up to the plate," Burkholder said. "I am personally very proud of her. She played excellent this weekend and really helped us out. Leadership-wise she is also very stable and that's what we need this year."
The Wildcats also defeated No. 18 Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday night courtesy of a three game sweep, 15-3, 15-8 and 15-10.
Because the Wildcats played the tougher of the two weekend matches first, Rubio was unsure that his team was going to come out with the intensity he hoped for.
"When you play the better of the two first, there is always the potential for an emotional let down the next day," Rubio said. "The girls, however, had great energy. Their competitiveness was excellent. I thought from the very first serve we were asserting ourselves."
The Wildcats were led by Napier against the Utes, who finished with a team high - 12 kills along with a service ace.
DaLee finished second on the team with 11 kills posting an impressive .625 hitting percentage.
Burkholder finished with a team high - 45 assists along with a service ace.
"My serving has gotten a little bit better," Burkholder said.
Even with an eight-match winning streak, the Wildcats are keeping the focus on the floor.
"I don't think we really think about that," Burkholder said. "Were excited, and we know we're doing well. We all know to continue to win, we need to go to the gym and practice hard."
Rubio agreed.
"Our frame of mind is we take it one match at a time," Rubio said. "We
don't want to get too far ahead of ourselves."
