DEREKH FROUDE/Arizona Daily Wildcat Senior Laurie Gardner (right) has filled the shoes of her coach, UA great Dana Burkholder.

When the 2002 volleyball season began, the Wildcats had one major question ÷ who would replace All-American setter Dana Burkholder?

With no current player on the UA roster to fill the void, head coach David Rubio had to look outside his program.

Luckily for him, Laurie Gardner, a senior transfer from Indiana, fell into his lap.

Gardner, a native of West Bend, Wisc., played in 87 of 89 matches in her three-year career with the Hoosiers, but said she wanted a chance to come to a program that would give her an opportunity to win a national championship.

Arizona became the perfect fit for the senior.

"Laurie Gardner is the perfect replacement for Dana," Rubio said. "She has improved her understanding of running my offense. It takes a while to understand a new offense and she is improving every day."

With the pressure of replacing Burkholder, who is arguably the most prolific athlete in UA history, Gardner has established her own identity ÷ one that will be on display tomorrow in the first round of the NCAA tournament against Texas-Arlington at 7:30 p.m. in McKale Center.

Her transition to becoming Arizona's starting setter and floor leader has been eased by Burkholder, who has stayed in the program as a volunteer assistant coach, and helped Gardner increase her assists per game by almost 2 per game, to 11.52 this season.

"She knows the system," Gardner said. "Dana helps me so much individually. She has been so supportive and she has just helped me tremendously."

Burkholder finished her career as the all-time UA leader in assists, and her continued support and ability to help Gardner adjust to Rubio's offensive strategies have been instrumental in Arizona's success this season.

"Dana has been invaluable for us this season," Rubio said. "She has been great with Laurie. Dana has the credibility with her career stats, and she understands what I want done in our offense."

Gardner earned honorable mention All-Pacific 10 Conference this season and her assists per game mark is only 1.48 assists per game behind Burkholder's career average, which is the most in UA history.

"Laurie has had a great year," Burkholder said. "It has been incredible to work with her. She has been enthusiastic with her training. I have been able to help her with the technical aspect of setting with Dave, and I think that she is just having a great year."

Burkholder said that working with Gardner has been a very educational experience for her, as well.

"Working with Laurie has been beneficial for both of us. I have learned a lot watching her and I still have a lot to learn. It has always given me an opportunity to see if Laurie responds to my coaching techniques."

Gardner is in a position to face the team she left if both Indiana and UA win their first-round matches tomorrow.

"I never expected to get a chance to play against them," she said. "I have mixed emotions about it right now."