DaLee leads Wildcats - her own way

Senior middle blocker Marisa DaLee isn't your typical volleyball player. She's, well, a little different - like one of her favorite athletes, Dennis Rodman.

"(Rodman's) my favorite just because he is so interesting and different," DaLee said.

Just as Rodman dominated rebounding in basketball, DaLee, a Phoenix native, is dominating the sport of volleyball with her devastating kills and fiery attitude.

The senior middle blocker owns numerous Arizona records, including hitting percentage records for a match (.750), season (.386), and career (.379) and is considered to be among the top middle blockers in the country.

"It's exciting that people say I'm the best but I don't really think of it," DaLee said. "Dave (Rubio) says it a lot in practice but I just want to play against the best middle blockers in the country."

The accolades have come quickly to DaLee this season. This week, the senior was named the Pacific 10 Conference's Volleyball Player of the Week for the third time in her Wildcat career.

DaLee has been named to numerous all-tournament teams throughout her UA career - most recent being at the Starwoods Plaza Wildcat Classic on Sept. 9.