By
Kamy Shaygan
Arizona Daily Wildcat
hav Arizona sweeps through OSU, Oregon; extend win streak to 14 games
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The UA volleyball team is becoming a model for consistency lately - all it does is win.
Arizona (14-1 overall, 7-0 Pacific 10 Conference) failed to loose a game as they swept both the Beavers and the Ducks on back to back nights extending their winning streak to 14 games.
The No. 7 Wildcats tied yet another record - the best start in program history - as the team defeated unranked Oregon State and Oregon during the weekend in dominating fashion.
"I was actually really pleased," sophomore middle blocker Stefani Saragosa said of the team's performance. "We didn't hesitate in playing and that was the best thing we could do."
The Wildcats opened up the weekend, Friday night, with a three game sweep - 15-9, 15-8, 16-14 - against the Beavers (12-5, 4-3) .
Junior Jill Talbot led the charge for the Wildcats finishing with a team high 13 kills.
Junior Dana Burkholder, along with seniors Allison Napier and Marisa DaLee also finished with double digits in kills.
Although Burkholder didn't lead the team in kills, she did however finish with a game high 43 assists.
Along with being one of the top setters in the country, Burkholder has taken the responsibility of becoming the team leader this season.
"I think it's my responsibility to motivate the team," Burkholder said. "I'm just an intense person naturally and people feed off that."
DaLee, who leads the nation in hitting percentage, led the Wildcats past the Ducks (7-8, 0-7) on Saturday night.
DaLee's game high 16 kills along with her .500 attacking percentage was the driving force behind the Wildcats sweep of the Ducks, 15-6, 15-5, 15-10.
"Marisa is one of the most stable players I have ever met," Saragosa said. "I really don't think she knows how to have an average day. I think she's a great leader in that she comes through for her team."
Although the Wildcats have broken numerous records this season, including the best conference start in school history (7-0), Saragosa and the rest of her teammates are not concerned with the accolades.
"I have never even thought about it in terms of records," Saragosa said. "We know what we are capable of. The fact that we are where we are is because we are dedicated to each other. That just leads us to winning every game."
