Photo courtesy of Chris Mooney

All-American senior halfback Jonathan Gray receives a pass from a teammate during a match last season at Rincon Field. Gray will travel with the rest of the All-America team to Dublin, Ireland, to compete against Trinity College tomorrow

Wednesday September 5, 2001

UA rugger travels with best of U.S. to Emerald Isle

It has become almost an annual event for a UA rugger to be selected as an All-American. The latest to be deemed worthy of this recognition is senior halfback Jonathan Gray.

Gray's preseason selection as an All-American was the third straight selection for Arizona and the sixth in the program's history. Chris Kron and Al Lakomaskis were the two Wildcats selected prior to Gray.

Head coach Dave Sitton raved about Gray's skill and potential, and said Gray is worthy of the selection.

"He throws as smooth, long and accurate a pass as seen in the college game," Sitton said. "He is still working on initiating attacks. Jonathan is developing a cache of irritating (to defenses) kicks and some quick trips from the back of the scrum."

Gray's teammates said they appreciate his leadership and hard work and hope it will continue to boost the program at the UA.

"John is a great player," senior Josh Eggman said. "(His selection) is great for the program."

Gray will take his skills to Ireland, where he and the other All-Americans will compete against Trinity College tomorrow and University College of Dublin on Sunday.

This will be Gray's second trip overseas for rugby. He was selected as an All-American in high school and traveled with a team to New Zealand.

The latest stamping of Gray's passport should help Arizona in its quest for the league title this year, Eggman said.

"He worked hard over the summer," Eggman said. "Hopefully he will bring leadership skills (back with him), and will be able to control the game that much more."

Tryouts were held yesterday, and the Arizona rugby team is still looking for student-athletes to fill its three rosters.

Sitton said although Arizona is one of the premier programs in the country, the Wildcats are always looking for able bodies. The UA ruggers finished with a 10-4 record last season, and Sitton said he is confident Arizona will be back in the hunt for the Southern California League title this season.

Sitton said he encourages players of all ability to give the team a shot.

"It's important that any prospective player understands that they have an opportunity to achieve the highest levels of prosperity in our program," Sitton said.

Sitton, who has been the UA head coach for 25 seasons, said that any players still interested in joining the team should meet at Mansfield Park on North Sixth Avenue and Grant Road at 4 p.m. tomorrow or check the rugby Web site at http://al.arizona.edu/uarugby for more information.

Arizona opens the season November 3 at New Mexico.

The Arizona women's volleyball team made school history by being the highest ranked Pacific 10 Conference team in this weeks AVCA polls.

The fifth-ranked Wildcats (3-0) moved up one spot from their No. 6 position last week.

Sixth-ranked Southern California (1-1) fell to No. 3 Wisconsin (4-1), and fell out of the top five.

The upsets did not stop there as top-ranked defending national champion Nebraska (3-1) saw its 36-match winning streak come to an end as they were upset by Long Beach State (2-0).

Nebraska still retained the top spot and Long Beach State moved up six spots to No. 2.

Arizona was considered by at least one voter for the top spot as they received one first place vote.

This week's poll included four Pac-10 teams in the top-10.

UCLA (3-0) and Stanford (3-0) join Arizona and USC (1-1) in the top 10, ranking seventh and ninth respectively.

UA next takes the floor tomorrow versus No. 19 Utah (3-0) in the opening match of the Four Points University Plaza Wildcat Classic at 7:00 p.m.

The UA women's tennis team will run with an idea started by Billy Jean King and Bobby Riggs more than 20 years ago when they rekindle the "Battle of the Sexes."

The squad will take on the Tucson Raquet Club men's travelling team on Sept. 7, at the Robson Tennis Center. The matches will begin at 6 p.m.

The singles and doubles contests will be played in an eight-game pro set format.

"This is a great opportunity for the team to get exposure in the Tucson tennis community and to have some fun," UA head coach Brad Dancer said. "Hopefully we can make the guys sweat a little bit."

The event will also include a barbecue and feature a live band. Fans can enter a raffle to win Arizona team gear and lessons from the UA coaches to benefit the women's tennis squad.