By
Kamy Shaygan
Arizona Daily Wildcat
For the second week in a row, the Pacific 10 Conference chose a Wildcat for its Volleyball Player of the Week.
Last week the honor went to junior setter Dana Burkholder, who set a school record against Arizona State, finishing with 84 assists.
Earlier this week, Pac-10 commissioner Tom Hansen announced Wildcat senior Marisa DaLee as the conference's Volleyball Player of the Week.
"I think it's a reflection of how our team is performing overall," head coach David Rubio said. "Those two have stood out by nature."
DaLee led the Wildcats to three victories last week, including wins against No. 15 Brigham Young and No. 18 Utah.
The Cougars seemed to be no match for DaLee - the senior finished with 16 kills and six blocks along with a .462 attacking percentage.
Against the Utes, DaLee finished with 11 kills and an .625 attacking percentage.
DaLee leads the Pac-10 in hitting percentage and has hit .400 or better in six straight matches.
The Wildcats moved ahead three spots to No. 10 overall in the most recent USA Today/AVCA Division I coaches poll. This is the second time in a young 2000 season that the Wildcats have been ranked No. 10.
"I've always felt that we haven't got that much respect around the country," Rubio said. "The rankings will take care of themselves."
Although the Wildcats have won eight in a row, Rubio believes that UA can still improve.
"I haven't been satisfied in the way we have been practicing," Rubio said. "The key for us is to work hard in practice. We have to do a better job in the practice arena. In the long run, that will the make the statement for the kind of team we are."
Despite being ranked third in the Pac-10, the Wildcats own the best team hitting percentage and the top two hitters in the conference.
The Wildcats' hot hitting shows - UA leads the conference with a .360 hitting percentage along and kills per game (18.3).
In individual play, the top two hitters in the conference are Wildcats. DaLee leads the conference with her .479 attacking percentage and is followed by sophomore Stefani Saragosa, who owns a .413 attacking percentage.
Rubio credits much of DaLee and Saragosa's success to Burkholder.
"I think it is more of a reflection of two things - our passing and our setting," Rubio said. "Dana is choosing to pick the right attacker."
Look for junior middle blocker Erin Sebbas to get some quality playing time this weekend when the Wildcats travel to Washington.
Last week, Sebbas executed some crucial plays for the Wildcats, finishing with three kills and a .375 attacking percentage.
"Erin has been playing quite well," Rubio said. "She played really well for us against BYU."
Another Wildcat who will be expected to get serious playing time is sophomore Shannon Torregrosa. Torregrosa finished with 16 kills in a dramatic victory over rival ASU last Wednesday.
"Shannon has done a super job," Rubio said. "The team is deep and that's what has helped us."
