KRISTIN ELVES/ARIZONA DAILY WILDCAT Kim Glass and Jolene Killough attempt to make a block against a New Mexico hitter during last weekend's Wildcat Classic.

When the 2002 volleyball season began, Arizona had high hopes of making a run at this year's NCAA championship.

However, the first two weeks have been anything but great for the UA women's volleyball team.

The Wildcats (3-3) have not only failed to defeat a ranked opponent but also lost one of their floor leaders when senior Stefani Saragosa quit the team due to injury earlier this week.

However, the team is not giving in and will try to get back in gear this weekend as they travel to Stockton, Calif., to take part in the Pacific Invitational.

The 15th-ranked Wildcats take the court tonight against St. Mary's (2-2) and then they face British Columbia and No. 21 Pacific tomorrow in a double-header.

Senior Shannon Torregrosa said the team has had a good week of practice and she expects better results this weekend.

"We have had a hard week of practice," Torregrosa said. "We have been playing the best teams and I think that we were not mentally ready for the challenge. We have the physical talent and I think we are coming around. Hopefully we can come out with three wins this weekend."

Torregrosa has struggled so far this season, but UA head coach David Rubio said Torregrosa is beginning to turn the corner and return to her old form.

"Shannon has had a good week of practice," Rubio said. "I don't expect her to continue to struggle. I know that she will get back on track and be fine."

The highlight match this weekend for the Wildcats is against the Tigers, who have struggled as well this season.

However, Pacific enters this match looking to avenge its loss to the Wildcats in the NCAA regional Semifinals last season.

With the Pacific 10 Conference season set to begin next week, Rubio said the team is not going to get better overnight. Instead, it will take continued improvement each time they step on the floor to reach the level he believes his team can play at.

"There is no quick fix," Rubio said. "We have been playing good teams and that is going to help us. We need to keep competing and practicing to get better."

Freshman outside hitter Kim Glass has become the offensive leader for the Wildcats, as she is coming off a 20-kill performance against No. 10 Pepperdine.

Glass said Arizona knows how good they can be, but it is just a matter of coming together on the court and becoming comfortable amongst one another.

"It is up to us to come together," Glass said. "We have the talent. We need to trust one another on the court. Once we do that, I think our passing will improve, and once that happens we will be just fine."