Thursday September 27, 2001

Besides being the No. 3 team in the nation, the UA women's volleyball team is among the top schools in the country in almost every statistical category.

Arizona currently ranks fifth in hitting with a .322 percentage and tenth in kills per game with a 17.05 average.

Defensively, the Wildcats are ninth in blocks per game with a 3.45 average.

"Statistically, it indicates the success that we have had," UA head coach David Rubio said. "It allows us to see where we are amongst the nation's best, and it also allows us to see where we can improve."

However, the Wildcats are 28th in assists per game with a 15.05 average.

From a fan's perspective, the number seems low because of the success that senior All-American Dana Burkholder has had this season.

Currently, Burkholder ranks No. 22 in the nation with a 12.73 assists per game average.

Rubio said there are numerous factors that play a part in the amount of assists a setter gets per game.

"Assists per game average for a setter is not a clear indicator of how good they truly are," Rubio said. "A team's style of play has a lot to do with the setter's opportunity for assists. It all matters on the team's strengths."

Individually, two UA players are amongst the nation's 10 best hitters.

Junior middle blocker Stefani Saragosa remained the nation's best hitter with a .530 hitting percentage.

Senior outside hitter Jill Talbot adds to the Arizona's successful hitting percentage with a .476 hitting percentage, which is seventh in the nation

Also, Junior Lisa Rutledge ranks 30th in kills per game with a 4.52 per game average.

Earlier this week, Wildcats announced their matches with Stanford and California - postponed due to the recent terrorist attacks - have been rescheduled for Oct. 7 and 8.

Arizona plays Arizona State on Friday, Oct. 5, before traveling to the Bay Area to play Stanford and Cal on the proceeding Sunday and Monday.

Rubio said he thinks Arizona will be up to the challenge of playing three games in four days.

"Everyone in the country is dealing with the same situation," Rubio said. "Due to the circumstances presented by the unfortunate tragedy, we have to deal with the best possible solution."

Saragosa said she was happy with the rescheduling and the opportunity to play two of the conference's best teams.

"I am glad to see that the games were rescheduled," Saragosa said. "Everyone has to go through it, and I don't think it will effect us. As long as we come out and play Arizona volleyball, we will be just fine. It will be a good test for us to have three games in four days."

This weekend, the Wildcats will travel to Los Angeles to take on No. 5 Southern California and No.8 UCLA in what some speculate will be the first true tests Arizona has faced this season.

In traveling to Los Angeles, the Wildcats will be flying for the first time since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C.

Saragosa said the team is confident new security measures will keep them safe.

"We travel so much," Saragosa said. "We have faith in the security and everything involving traveling to Los Angeles. We are more concerned with staying focused for our tough road trip."

Rubio agreed.

"We are all very aware of the dangers and pitfalls with traveling," Rubio said. "I believe that we all must move on with our life, and I think the players feel the same way."

Senior setter Lauren Benward said she isn't as concerned about flying as her parents are about her trip.

"We have traveled so much, and we are all use to it," Benward said. "I think parents are going to be more worried then we are."