With the departure of setter Laura Bartsch, a four-year starter and the UA's career assists leader, there should be an exciting competition for the setter position on the Arizona women's volleyball team this season.

Head coach Dave Rubio said that the setter position is unique because a setter needs to have excellent leadership qualities and a strong work ethic.

"I'm really looking for someone who's really good in the leadership areas, with the ability to demonstrate the kind of verbal dialogue that she needs to have with her teammate," Rubio said.

His candidates are junior Micheala Ebben and freshman Kara Gormsen.

Ebben, from Forestville, Calif., gained most of her collegiate experience last season playing behind Bartsch.

"I got a lot of good experience in top matches last year," Ebben said.

Last season, Ebben had a career-high 35 assists versus Hawaii in the first meeting of the two teams, and added 33 assists in the second match. Ebben played in 34 games and started two matches last season.

"Micheala is an outstanding setter and has been looking forward the past two years for the role she will now inherit," Rubio said.

Gormsen, a Mizuno All-American from Stockton, Calif., was considered one of the top setter prospects in the nation in high school.

Rubio said Gormsen has adjusted well to the Wildcats' style of play.

"She is already competing at a really high level because she is such a highly talented setter," Rubio said.

Gormsen said that Ebben is not worried having an All-American setter competing for the starting position.

"I think it's a good challenge for me," Ebben said.

Rubio said that both Ebben and Gormsen are capable of running the team and competing in the tough Pacific 10 Conference.

"If our success is determined on Micheala or Kara, then we're in great hands," Rubio said.

Rubio said that Gormsen has already begun challenging Ebben for the starting position, but he thinks that once Gormsen gets a little more comfortable with Arizona's setting system, the competition will get really exciting.

"Kara is slowly becoming more comfortable with the systems, and as her comfort level becomes greater, her setting will become better which will put her in position to compete for the spot," Rubio said.

Gormsen said that when the team first began practicing, she felt a little awkward setting under a new system for new players.

According to Gormsen, Ebben has really helped her adjust to Arizona's setting style and formations.

"Micheala tells me setting locations and how different hitters like different things," Gormsen said. "Coming in as a new player, you aren't familiar with your hitters or the systems that are already set."

Ebben said that she tries to help Gormsen like Bartsch helped her during her freshman and sophomore seasons.

"I try to help Kara by answering questions and letting her know that I am here for her," Ebben said.

According to Gormsen, it helps to have a friendly competition between two players because it pushes them to perform better.

This season Gormsen hopes to see some good playing time to gain collegiate experience.

Ebben, who will start in the first match of the season on Aug. 30 at the Arizona State Tournament in Tempe, said she has no fear of her new roles as starting setter.

"I want to be the best setter I can be for this team to hopefully lead this team to a national championship," Ebben said.

"Micheala is setting with a tremendous amount of confidence and, at this particular moment, is playing the best," Rubio said. "I think Micheala will be able to step in and do a fine job. I think Kara is going to be right on her heels every step of the way ."

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