Stefani Saragosa former UA women's volleyball player

Stefani Saragosa's dream of winning Arizona's first ever women's volleyball national championship is over for the senior, as she announced yesterday she is leaving the UA volleyball team.

Saragosa said she has been battling constant injuries and that is the reason she is calling it quits.

For the past three weeks, Saragosa has seen limited playing time due to a strain in her pectoral muscle and she said she was finally tired of constantly fighting to stay on the court.

"Physically it's been one thing after another," Saragosa said. " It has been frustrating the past couple years (due to injury) and my family and I think it is the best that I'm physically and mentally fit for life outside of volleyball. I want to wish my teammates the best of luck this season and for them to know that I love them."

The 6-foot-2 senior leaves the Wildcats as the second best all-time hitting hitter with a percentage of .342.

Saragosa is also tied for sixth in block assists with a career total of 271.

More importantly, Saragosa's energy and leadership on the court will be missed by the Wildcats.

"Stefani has meant a great deal to this program," head coach David Rubio said. "She's a warrior on the court and her intensity and fire will be missed. The coaching staff and I wish only the best for her."

Saragosa has been a key member in Arizona volleyball's rise to elite status over the past few seasons.

During her three year career, the Wildcats advanced to three Sweet Sixteens, two Elite Eights and the school's first ever Final Four last season.

"Over her career, she has battled through injuries and sucked it up and played," Rubio said.

Senior outside hitter Shannon Torregrosa, who is close with Saragosa both on and off the court, said that she has not spoken to Saragosa since she announced her decision, but that the energy and court leadership Saragosa brought to the team will be hard to replace.

Saragosa has taken many of UA's five freshmen ÷ including outside hitter Kim Glass ÷ under her wing and showed them what it takes to make the transition from high school to college volleyball.

"She has meant so much to this program," Glass said. "She is a great player and it is sad to see her last season end like this. I know that she is still going to be around. That is just the type of person she is. I know that she will do great at whatever she does after volleyball."

Freshmen Bre Ladd and Angie Ayers and sophomore Jolene Killough will make up Arizona's middle blocker rotation.

The Wildcats take the court for the first time without Saragosa in the Pacific Invitational this weekend.