Wildcats dismantle Pacific to reach the Elite Eight

Coming into the 2001 season, the UA women's volleyball team had one goal-go to the final four and win the NCAA Championship for the first time in school history.

That chance became reality last night as the fifth ranked Wildcats defeated No. 12 Pacific 3-0(30-26, 30-24, 30-27). The win puts UA in the Elite Eight for only the second time in school history.

Last year, the Wildcats made their debut in the quarterfinals and they lost to Nebraska 3-0, who went on to win the national championship.

The Wildcats(24-4 overall) will take on Pacific 10 Conference rival USC tonight for a chance at a Final Four appearance.

From the first serve the Tigers(28-4) knew that they were going to have their hands full as senior All-American setter Dana Burkholder began the match with an ace.

UOP really never recovered from that point.

The Wildcats went on to build an early three-point lead, on route to its 30-26 Game 1 victory.

The first game was dominated by UA's balance offensive attack, which saw four players tally at least three kills.

The UA's middle attackers-senior Erin Sebbas and junior Stefani Saragosa raised their level of play.

The two middles combined for seven kills in the first game.

Game two went back and forth, but Pacific was never able to capitalize and take control.

UOP stayed close as halfway through game the Wildcats were up 16-15.

Then junior outside hitter Shannon Torregrosa came to life and took over the match.

The junior led the Wildcats on a 6-1 run to take control of the game.

Pacific never recovered and UA went on to win game two 30-24.

Torregrosa accumulated eight of her match high 14 kills in game two

"Shannon was on fire tonight," Arizona head coach David Rubio said. "She was as good as I have seen her. It has been a tough week for her and she did a good job of coming back. She got us out of a lot of jams."

Facing elimination, the Tigers came out in game three determined to get back in the match.

The Wildcats and UOP were deadlocked at 10 apiece, when UA went on a 5-0 run, which sealed the victory.

Arizona went on to win game three 30-27.

"This is the kind of match that we need to play to advance in the tournament," Rubio said. "A couple of things went well for us, including our service, which I thought was excellent. Pacific is a good passing and ball-handling team and we did a nice job keeping them off balance."

UA's outside hitters, led by Torregrosa finished the match with thirty kills.

"Shannon is huge for us on the left side and that is the key," senior outside hitter Jill Talbot said. "She is an intimidating force and other teams see that. She is a great presence and it really opens up the middle and right side.

Pacific was able to contain junior outside hitter Lisa Rutledge, who finished with only eight kills on a .121 hitting percentage.

However, Sebbas and Saragosa stepped up their play as they combined for 20 kills.

"When they play well it opens up our entire offense," Burkholder said. "We want to come out and do the same thing (tonight).

UPO head coach Jayne McHugh said that Arizona put the pressure on the Tigers earlier and they were unable to respond.

"Volleyball is a game of momentum and serve and pass and we didn't do either well tonight," McHugh said. When that happens, it doesn't put any pressure on the other team. Arizona has some seniors that would rather run through fire than lose and they put us on our heels."

The Wildcats are now on a collision course with the Trojans for the third time this season.

Instead of this match having conference implications, the Wildcats and USC will be playing with a lot more on the stakes as both teams are looking to bring home a national championship to its respected school.

UA and the Lady of Troy split the season series 1-1 with both teams sweeping each other on their home court.

There is no lost love between these two teams, as Arizona knows that it was one win away from hosting this match in Tucson.

Instead, the Trojans have a slight advantage playing in the Sports Arena, which is a mere few blocks from the USC campus.

Arizona has not beaten USC is Los Angeles since 1999.

Burkholder said that the team learned a lot last year playing Nebraska in its gym for a Final Four berth.

"I think we played tense last year," Burkholder said. "This year we have to be a very relaxed team. I know that I have to rely on my teammates a lot more instead of trying to do it all myself."