KEVIN KLAUS

UA volleyball players (from left) Kelli Mulvany and Stephani Saragosa wave at some admirers during media day last Friday. The Wildcats are the No. 6 team in the country going into this season.

Monday August 27, 2001 |

Arizona Daily Wildcat

UA head coach David Rubio credits a lot of the success the No. 6 Arizona volleyball team has had in recent years to the team's challenging non-conference schedule that he has compiled.

The team opens its season in the Florida SunTrust Invitational, where it will face the No. 9 Florida Gators.

With UA's recent success, Rubio has noticed that the top volleyball programs are now calling him and inviting the team to their tournaments, unlike in the past when he had to look for quality opponents to schedule

"There is a different fraternity of programs like Stanford, UCLA, Penn State that have won championships," Rubio said. "They seek us out now to play in their tournaments. Reality is we have to improve to keep that relationship, but it's definitely nice when other teams want to play Arizona."

Two weeks later Arizona Pacific 10 Conference schedule begins at No. 10 Stanford, with California to follow.

Players are excited about UA's tough opening schedule because it will give the team's eight freshmen a chance to see what top notch volleyball is all about.

"It's nice to be able to play a lot of top quality opponents, but we are going to play everyone the same way," said junior middle blocker Stefani Saragosa. "The team we play does not matter as much because the little teams can spoil the show. We need to just concentrate on getting better and playing our own game, who ever the opponent is."

Rubio, however, is not concerned about the possibility of his team folding early due to such a demanding schedule that also includes No. 4 USC and No. 7 UCLA, both of which will be played on the road.

"Our team is so experienced," Rubio said. "Facing high-caliber teams won't hurt us. We are accustomed to going to Stanford or UCLA with confidence. We are good enough and experienced enough to know that we just need to go out there and play."

Last season marked the emergence of Arizona women's volleyball as the team reached the Elite Eight for the first time in school history.

Coming into the 2001 season, the Wildcats as a team feel this is the year they have a chance to make a run at a national championship.

"It would definitely be a big disappointment if we don't win a National Championship," said junior outside hitter Lisa Rutledge. "We have the means and the tools and the coaches this season. Everything is in place for us to make a championship run."

Since the Wildcats first stepped onto the floor, UA head coach David Rubio has stressed that winning is not everything, but he reiterates to them daily that they have what it takes to compete with any team in the nation.

"We have to have a goal that is obtainable, and I think that a National Championship is obtainable," Rubio said. "Last year we were disappointed we lost, but we had a great year. I won't be disappointed if we don't win, and the chances are we are not going to win and everyone realizes that. As long as we can be the best that we can be everyday in practice and we can walk out and say that, then I will be happy."

Senior outside hitter Jill Talbot said Arizona will do whatever it takes, though, to become champions.

"If we don't win, we will probably be dead on the floor from trying," Talbot said.

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This year UA's volleyball team consists of eight freshmen, which means the health of the team's nine upperclassmen is crucial to its success this season.

A nice addition to the team will be the return of Saragosa, who battled a shoulder injury for the most of last season.

"I think it is so important for Stefani to be healthy," UA head coach David Rubio said. "She has been injured for the past two seasons, but her return will allow our freshmen to develop gradually."

Her presence in the middle will be much needed due to the loss of Marisa DaLee, who led the nation in hitting percentage last season.

"Last season I thought I was good to go but I had a shoulder injury that was very frustrating," Saragosa said. "When you live with pain and play with it, it is annoying. I am just so excited to be able to give everything I can to the team this season."