The UA women's soccer program filled its assistant coach void with the hiring of Yvette Valdez, head coach Cathy Klein announced yesterday.

"We are excited and fortunate to have someone with Yvette's qualifications join our staff," said Klein. "She brings plenty of experience to our program, she's a great recruiter, she's highly organized, and she's a great player."

Valdez has been an assistant women's soccer coach at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, Calif., for the last seven years. During her tenure, the Tigers went 78-48-10 record, including a 10-8-2 mark and a tie for seventh in the Big West Conference during the 2002 season.

A member of the Mexican National Team from 1998-99, Valdez participated in the 1999 Women's World Cup, the first appearance ever for that squad, and the first time a Spanish-speaking nation had qualified for the world championships.

"I am very excited to be able to join the University of Arizona staff," said Valdez. "One of the big things for me is to be able to work in the Pac-10 and in a big-school atmosphere, because I've always been at smaller schools."

Softball second in Pac-10 poll

The Pac-10 conference announced yesterday its 2003 softball coaches' poll, with UA being picked to finish second among the league's eight participants.

UCLA received 46 votes, two more than that of Arizona.

The Wildcats did receive three first place votes, coming off a 55-12 record last season, including a 15-6 Pac-10 mark.

Defending national champion California, who defeated UA for the title, was slated to finish tied for fourth with Stanford.