By
Brian Penso
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Napier, Clark, DaLee "irreplaceable" to UA head coach
This past Saturday's victory against Arizona State was emotional for the UA volleyball team. While it marked the first time Arizona had won a share of the Pacific 10 Conference title, it also possibly marked the last time three UA volleyball seniors play at McKale Center in front of their home fans.
Outside hitter Allison Napier, middle blocker Marisa DaLee and defensive specialist Elvina Clark have been the backbone of the Arizona team all season.
"Any time we have been struggling this season, we have looked to our seniors," sophomore middle blocker Stefani Saragosa said.
UA head coach David Rubio said that the Wildcats would not have been in a position to win the Pac-10 title without his seniors.
"These seniors are irreplaceable," Rubio said. "Take away Allie, Marisa and Elvina, we as a team would be lost. They give our team the direction that it needs."
The importance of the three seniors became apparent in Arizona's last two matches against Arizona State and UCLA.
In UA's victory over ASU, Napier led all Wildcats with a career-high with 34 kills on 79 swings to go with a .329 hitting percentage. She also contributed 10 digs and four total blocks.
"She has been big all year," Rubio said. "Tonight was a culmination of her whole career. Before the season, we knew our success would rely a lot on her play and she has had a great year."
The Wildcats would not have even been in a position to play for the conference title if they did not defeat the Bruins two matches ago.
UA's match against UCLA was a must-win for the Wildcats if they had any possibility of keeping its hope alive for its first ever Pac-10 title.
The match did not start off as well, as the Wildcats suffered a 15-6 game one defeat.
Following game one, however, the Wildcats won three straight games to defeat the Bruins, 6-15, 15-2, 15-4, 15-6.
In the UA comeback, Wildcat players said they looked to the seniors to lead them to victory.
DaLee, Napier and Clark were up to the challenge.
Napier and DaLee took over the match with their net play.
Napier finished the match with 18 kills and a .395 hitting percentage.
UCLA junior outside hitter Kristee Porter - a national player of the year candidate - finished the match with 22 kills along with a .342 hitting percentage.
Napier's seemed to neutralize Porter in the match.
"Allison is so consistent," sophomore Lisa Rutledge said. "She really stepped up for us."
DaLee managed 15 kills to go with a .478 hitting percentage against the Bruins and remains third in the nation in kill percentage.
However, it was Clark's play that Rubio said was key in the UA victory.
The senior had four aces against the Bruins.
"That was a big win for us," Napier said. "I am glad us seniors stepped it up. This sends a message that we have good senior leadership."
With the NCAA tournament looming, Arizona will need to rely on its seniors to help them reach its goal of making its first Final Four appearance in school history.
"They have a great passion to win," Saragosa said. "With this being their last run at the Final Four, their mentality is that they wont let anyone stand in their way. That is what it takes to win."
Most of all, Rubio has been pleased with the three seniors' desire to improve and set an example to the underclassmen.
"Our seniors play the way seniors are suppose to play," Rubio said. "They are the real foundation of our team. There maturity is and willingness to help the team win is irreplaceable."
