By
Kamy Shaygan
Arizona Daily Wildcat
UA goes for 15th win in a row
The UA women's volleyball team will crack open the Family Weekend festivities tonight when they face UCLA at McKale Center.
The No. 6 Wildcats (14-1 overall, 7-0 Pacific 10 Conference) have been breaking numerous records this season and will try to continue their success against the No. 10 Bruins (10-5, 5-2).
Along with breaking the school record for consecutive victories and best conference start, the Wildcats are trying to set another school record - a win tonight would mark the best start in UA program history.
Although most of the weekend's attention will be focused around tomorrow night's showdown with undefeated USC, Arizona cannot afford to underestimate the Bruins, last season's Pac-10 champions.
"I'm totally excited (about Family Weekend) but we can't look past UCLA," UA senior middle blocker Marisa DaLee said.
Arizona head coach David Rubio concurs with his star middle blocker.
"I think that any time you play against a Pac-10 opponent, you try to beat them," Rubio said. "I think that were both very familiar with one another and similar in terms of talent."
The Bruins are lead by junior outside hitter Kristee Porter, who was a second team All-American last season.
Porter is considered by many to be one of the best outside hitters in the nation.
"They have Kristee Porter, who is exceptional," Rubio said.
The Wildcats will likely be led by DaLee, who is leading the nation in attacking percentage (.472).
Junior setter Dana Burkholder will help set the pace for the offense - so far this season, Burkholder leads the Pac-10 with a 14.20 assist-per-game average.
Rubio, who wanted to take a different approach to practices, sat down with the team earlier this week to view video tapes of the Bruins, Trojans and themselves.
"I feel like the best thing we can do is watch some film of ourselves - along with having two great days of practice before (tonight's game)." Rubio said.
Sophomore outside hitter Stefani Saragosa, who has been bothered by a bursitis in her left shoulder, is expecting a great weekend.
"Since it's family weekend, it's going to be really awesome," she said.
Saragosa's bursitis has been healing, and the sophomore is expected to start today.
Starting alongside Saragosa will be junior outside hitter Jill Talbot, who has been one of the team's streakiest players lately.
Talbot smashed 13 kills along with adding 10 digs against Oregon State last weekend.
Her performance wasn't nearly as impressive as her match against rival Stanford two weeks ago.
In the match against the Cardinal, the Vista, Calif. native posted an impressive .737 attacking percentage - the second-best single-match attacking percentage is school history.
Rubio is not underestimating the Bruins and expects a competitive match this evening.
"They are very physical and well coached and it's going to be a great battle," Rubio said.
