The UA club synchronized swim team hits Palo Alto, Calif., today for the completion of the 2004 season.

The Splashcats begin competition at the United States Nationals, which run through Saturday.

Arizona heads into nationals following a second consecutive second-place finish in the Pacific 10 Conference, trailing only nationally ranked No. 1 Stanford in league standings.

The UA finished ninth at the 30-team Collegiate Nationals last month, qualifying for the U.S. Nationals for the fifth-straight season. Arizona's ninth-place finish was second among club programs across the nation.

Arizona has had strong performances all season in the figures competitions, and will look to at least duplicate its second- and third-place finishes from Collegiate Nationals in Palo Alto, head coach Jill Ranucci said.

Sophomore Kirstin Schnepp comes into U.S. Nationals off a strong showing in Collegiate Nationals, where she earned a bronze medal.

The Splashcats have overcome a number of injuries this season and hope to improve on last year's fifth-place national finish despite swimming with just six members, Ranucci said.