By
Brian Penso
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Wildcats look for 8th straight victory
In what UA head coach David Rubio is calling a "regional showdown," the Arizona women's volleyball team will host Florida tonight at McKale Center.
The No. 3 Wildcats (21-2 overall, 14-1 Pacific 10 Conference) - currently ranked first in the Pac-10 - will represent the conference against the South Eastern Conference's Gators (21-3, 13-0),.
For the Wildcats, tonight's match will be a chance to prove themselves against a nationally-recognized team.
"Florida has had one of the richest traditions in volleyball in the past decade," Rubio said.
UA players and coaches realize, as the season comes to an end and the postseason begins, how important each game is.
"Florida is a huge match because of the regional implications," Rubio said. "Florida is one of the best teams in the east and they are ranked below us so becomes a huge match for each team. If they beat us, their region can say they are better than us."
The Wildcats will play a No. 10 Florida team that seems to be hitting its stride just in time for the postseason - the Gators have won 15 straight matches.
The key to Florida's attack is their ability to block the opposition at the net - so far this season, the Gators are averaging 3.39 blocks per game, good for third in the nation
Florida's net attack is based around sophomore Nicole McCray, who is ninth in the nation with 1.59 blocks per game.
The Gators will also rely on freshman outside hitter Aury Cruz, who leads to the team in kills with 4.24 per game. She has also had a double-double in five of her last nine games.
To counter the blocking efficiency of the Gators, the Wildcats will rely on its two seniors - middle blocker Marisa DaLee and outside hitter Allison Napier - to outmuscle UF.
In order for Arizona's offense to be a success, junior setter Dana Burkholder needs to be on top of her game.
Similar to a quarterback in football, a volleyball setter is in charge of getting the entire team involved in the game.
"When your quarterback struggles, the rest of the team tends to struggle," Burkholder said. "I need to try to be as consistent as possible."
The match will also have NCAA Tournament seeding implications. An Arizona win would position the Wildcats for a higher seed.
"We are taking every game like it is for the national championship," sophomore middle blocker Stefani Saragosa said. "Every game is important. We are focused on competing and getting better each time we step onto the floor.
