The young season of the UA volleyball team has been somewhat of a rollercoaster ride of trials and tribulations.

The Wildcats began the season ranked sixth in the nation, but two weeks and a face-lifted lineup later, sit ranked 15th.

However, Arizona overcame the loss of senior Stefani Saragosa, who quit the team last week, as well as a new lineup with senior Shannon Torregrosa in the middle to win the Nike Pacific Invitation.

Head coach David Rubio said the team was not going to improve overnight öö or have they?

That will all be determined this weekend as they play host to Pacific 10 Conference rivals Southern California and UCLA.

The Trojans and Bruins travel to the Old Pueblo ranked No. 1 and No. 11, respectively.

Two weeks ago, Arizona played host to Nebraska and Pepperdine, who were both ranked in the top 15, and they were handily defeated in each match.

The Wildcats (5-3) are looking to bounce back and show that they can play with the best teams in the country.

The Trojans (6-0) enter the match with a bit of a chip on their shoulder as the Wildcats defeated USC on their home floor to advance to last year's NCAA Final Four.

Rubio said the key for the Wildcats is making sure that they play their style of volleyball.

"We control everything out there," Rubio said. "We have improved each week and hopefully this week will be no different. We just have to go out there and compete with the LA schools."

The Bruins (7-3) and Wildcats enter Friday's match with something in common as each team has battled with consistency this season.

UCLA began the season ranked just below the Wildcats at No. 7, but they have also had some unexpected losses so far this season.

For UA to make a statement this weekend in the first week of Pac-10 play, UA's three stellar freshmen are going to have to step up to complement Arizona's three seniors ÷ Lisa Rutledge, Rachel Williams, and Torregrosa.

Freshman outside hitter Kim Glass has been the offensive leader for the Wildcats as she has been nothing short of remarkable in the eyes of Rubio.

Glass was named Pac-10 player of the week after tallying 50 kills in Arizona's three matches last season.

Another freshman, outside hitter Jennifer Abernathy, who has earned a spot in the starting rotation has been playing well, as she is coming off her first double-double as a Wildcat.

With Abernathy starting, Torregrosa moves over to the middle to anchor the center of the court with freshman Bre Ladd.

Ladd has been a force to be reckon with defensively and leads the team in blocks. The addition of Torregrosa should add some much needed offense to UA's middle attack.

After a tough week of practice, junior Christina Frost said the Wildcats are ready for the challenge this weekend.

"We have had a good week of practice," Frost said. "We have all been playing hard and improving everyday. That is what we are looking for this weekend.

Torregrosa concurred with Frost.

"We have had a great week of practice," Torregrosa said. "We have all of the talent on this team and it is just a matter of putting all the pieces together. We have been improving a lot and if we continue to do that we should be fine this weekend."

After Saturday, Arizona will get a true depiction of where they lie in the Pac-10 as well as in the country.