Tourney begins today, UA takes on Irvine tomorrow in San Diego

The No. 21 Arizona volleyball team (18-10, 10-8 Pacific 10 Conference) has overcome plenty of adversity this season, but the squad will remain unsatisfied until it can bring home an NCAA tournament championship. For the ninth consecutive year, the Wildcats will have the opportunity to do so as they travel to San Diego to take on UC Irvine tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. in first-round action. [Read article]

During the 2004 season, the UA football team arguably made its biggest strides in the right direction on the defensive side of the ball, reducing its points allowed per game from nearly 36 to 25 with basically the same unit.

Head coach Mike Stoops came to Arizona known as a defensive coach, and the unit should get even better next year after a season under his scheme.

Stoops stressed the importance of causing turnovers all season long, and the Wildcats finally made big plays, getting five in their 34-27 win over Arizona State. [Read article]

The calendar may say December and the temperature may be dropping, but things are just heating up in the pool for the UA swim and dive teams, who head to Austin, Texas, today for the Texas Invitational.

Hosted by UT and taking place at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center, the meet consists of 14 events over three days.

"The invitational is the first time when all the best swimmers are in one pool," said UA head coach Frank Busch. "The competition is a lot keener; it provides the same kind of atmosphere that the NCAA championships have." [Read article]