The Arizona women's volleyball emerged from its own tournament this weekend a little worse for wear after posting a 2-1 record for the weekend.

The loss to Loyola Marymount was Arizona's first of the year.

"A 9-1 record is OK, but we didn't perform well," Rubio said Saturday. "From my perspective, I don't think we competed well today. I'm disappointed with our effort."

Cal State Northridge (0-8), No. 16 San Diego State (3-6) and No. 20 Loyola Marymount (8-1) were all at McKale Center this weekend for the Doubletree Arizona Invitational.

Arizona lost to the Lions in straight games 15-4, 15-4, 15-13. It was a particularly tough loss for the Wildcats after coming off two wins on Friday, including a tough five-game win over San Diego State.

The match against Loyola Marymount was by far the team's worst performance of the year. Arizona tallied 111 team attacks but managed a scant .027 hitting percentage. Outside hitter Barb Bell and setter Michaela Ebben had solid performances, but the rest of the team struggled. Normally sure-hitting Michelle Fanger had only two kills in the match.

The problem area was at middle blocker. Starter Stephanie Venne did not play on Saturday for personal reasons that Rubio would not elaborate on.

"I think that any time someone doesn't play who is a normal player for us, it upsets the continuity," Rubio said.

Junior Tamika Dennis, who gave a solid effort against the Aztecs, was ineffective with one kill, one block assist and three digs. Freshman Erin Aldrich played the best among the middle blockers, recording four kills, seven digs and six block assists.

"We didn't pass the ball and that was the tale of the whole match," Rubio said. "I knew that if we didn't pass the ball well then we weren't going to win the match."

The Wildcats kept the game against Loyola Marymount close until the very end, when the Lions closed the door.

"At the end our passing got a little bit better and our serving got a little bit better," Rubio said. "We couldn't take care of that one particular skill and that really dictated the whole outcome of each play and basically the outcome of the match."

Friday's games were more indicative of the style and level of play the UA has displayed so far this year.

In the first match, against Cal State-Northridge, Arizona won in straight games 15-10, 15-11, 15-7. Arizona was led by Bell, who had 19 kills, and Ebben, who had a season-high 46 assists.

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