KEVIN KLAUS

Senior opposite side hitter Jill Talbot attempts a kill against an opponent earlier this season in McKale Center. The Wildcats defeated Cal last night, 3-1 in Berkley.

Tuesday October 9, 2001

UA volleyball team struggles continue versus Cal

The UA women's volleyball team has battled inconsistency during the early portion of the 2001 season, and last night was no different.

The Wildcats struggled in their 3-1 (30-21, 30-23, 27-30, 30-21) victory over California last night in Berkeley, Calif.

UA head coach David Rubio said that No. 7 Arizona (9-3 overall, 3-2 Pacific 10 Conference) has yet to play up to its ability and the team's struggles were apparent in last night's victory.

"We struggled," Rubio said. "We were inconsistent and we made too many service errors. The success we had was more a product of not playing a tough opponent."

Despite Rubio's disappointment, the Wildcats dominated Cal (5-7, 1-5) in every statistical category. Offensively, UA out hit Cal .306 to .111.

Arizona's left side attack - made up of junior outside hitters Lisa Rutledge and Shannon Torregrosa - were too much for the Golden Bears.

Rutledge tied a career high with 24 kills on a .358 hitting percentage. She also added nine digs.

KEVIN KLAUS

Senior opposite side hitter Jill Talbot attempts a kill against an opponent earlier this season in McKale Center. The Wildcats defeated Cal last night, 3-1 in Berkley.

Torregrosa was the only other Wildcat to finish in double digits in kills with 13. She also finished with a match-high 13 digs and five total blocks in the win.

Even though Torregrosa was second on the team in kills, the junior continued to struggle with her consistency.

During Sunday's match versus No. 4 Stanford, Torregrosa finished with a match-high 16 attack errors.

Monday's match was no different as she finished with eight attack errors, which tied Cal freshman outside hitter Mia Jerkov for a match high.

Senior outside hitter Jill Talbot, who leads the Pac-10 in hitting with a .500 average, finished with a .227 hitting percentage. Last night's match marked the second-consecutive contest that she hit under .300.

"Lisa and Shannon were good for us," Rubio said. "They were good, but we continued to make to many errors and better teams will exploit our mistakes."

Defensively, Arizona won the battle at the net as they out blocked Cal 13-4.

One area that has been a concern for Rubio is Arizona's play at the net.

In UA's three losses this season, the Wildcats have been out blocked 27-12, including being out-blocked 17-5 in its recent loss to Stanford.

Only two Golden Bears players finished the match above a .200 hitting percentage.

Cal junior middle blocker Reena Pardiwala finished the match with 11 kills on a .455 hitting percentage, and freshman middle blocker Camille Leffall added six kills on .444 hitting percentage.

Rubio said the team realizes where they need to improve because his players are becoming frustrated with their play.

"We have all identified the problems and now the challenge will be to identify the possible solutions," Rubio said. "That is where we are, but I know we will get better. We are all frustrated because we know we are better then the way we have been playing. We just have to keep our heads on straight and continue to practice hard."

Last night's match marked the third contest in four nights for the Wildcats.

UA has no time to rest - the Wildcats will play host to Washington and Washington State this weekend in McKale Center.

"We have been playing a lot in the past week," Rubio said. "It will be a tough weekend versus two very good Washington schools."