DAVID HARDEN/Arizona Daily Wildcat UA women's volleyball senior hitter Shannon Torregrosa attempts a spike in practice last month. The team will be the only UA team playing in town this weekend, competing against New Mexico tonight, and then playing a double-header Saturday against Nebraska and Pepperdine.

During the fall, many fans go to UA football games for their weekly sporting entertainment.

However, Arizona Stadium is not the only place in Tucson to be entertained.

Especially this weekend with the football team having a bye and the soccer team in Iowa.

So starting tonight the volleyball team will take center-stage with some of the best women's volleyball teams in the country competing in Tucson for the 19th annual Wildcat Classic.

Host team and No. 11 UA will compete against New Mexico, and then play a double-header on Saturday against No. 2 Nebraska (2-1) and No. 14 Pepperdine (3-2).

Arizona (2-1) is coming off a surprise loss to No. 22 Louisville.

In Arizona's first three matches last weekend, it struggled in all aspects of its game.

UA head coach David Rubio said he looks to see improvement from the team this weekend, but he realizes that the season is going to be filled with many ups and downs.

With five freshmen and a new setter, Arizona is trying to gain confidence and team chemistry, which can only happen over time.

Many would think that playing such a tough pre-season schedule against the nation's best teams would be a mistake that could affect the team's confidence, but Rubio said it is the only way to see how the Wildcats stack up amongst the nation's elite.

"To be the best, you have to play the best," Rubio said. "We have a lot of talented players on our team and they need to be challenged. Playing against weaker opponents will not help us grow as a team and reach our potential."

If history is any indication this weekend will be a good one for Arizona as they have amassed a 41-6 home record against non-conference opponents since 1992. Also, UA has won 20 of its last 21 home matches.

However, Nebraska comes into Tucson hungry to bounce back after losing to third-ranked Southern California last weekend.

Last Season, the Cornhuskers joined the Wildcats in the Final Four, but were beaten by eventual champion Stanford.

Nebraska is a perennial powerhouse as they have won 67 of their last 70 matches.

The No.2 Huskers enter McKale this weekend as the highest non-conference opponent UA has faced in its home history.

"We have great respect for Nebraska," Rubio said. "Like their football team, they are always among the best teams in the nation."

Before thinking about the Cornhuskers and Waves, UA has to concern itself with the Lobos, who are a team that the Wildcats cannot afford to lose to.

New Mexico's (0-4) head coach Kelley Silva, a native of Tucson and graduate of UA, said her team has nothing to lose by facing the Wildcats.

"We aren't ranked," Silva said. "I realize that the level of competition is going to be great, but this weekend gives our team a chance to see what it takes to be the best. It's going to be a great weekend of volleyball."

Senior middle blocker Stefani Saragosa said Arizona is excited about opening up its home schedule against tough opponents.

"I expect some of the younger players may be intimidated at times," Saragosa said. "All I can say is that we have great fans and Nebraska should be intimidated. No one pushes us around in our house."