Ranked teams spell trouble for UA

Ranked teams spell trouble for UA

By Sam Spiller
Arizona Daily Wildcat
October 10, 1996

Gregory Harris
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Outside hitter Heidi Bomberger had a team best 13 digs against UCLA and followed that performance with a career best 23 digs against USC.

The Arizona volleyball team's up-and-down series against the Los Angeles schools last week has given it proof it can beat a top-ranked team in its conference.
The Wildcats stepped up and beat No. 13 UCLA in a five-game marathon last Friday, but the significance of the win was tainted by the loss to No. 18 Southern Cal on Sunday. The UA coaches, however, said they still feel it was a huge win for the Wildcats.
Arizona had struggled recently against elite teams in the Pacific 10 Conference like Stanford and Oregon State. The Wildcats' wins over California and Oregon showed they could win, but not against good opponents. In fact, the only ranked opponent the Wildcats have beaten was San Diego State, which has since fallen out of the rankings.
"To be honest I'm always surprised when we lose a game," UA head coach Dave Rubio said. "I go into every game expecting to win."
The Wildcats head to Tempe tomorrow to face Arizona State. On Sunday, the U.S. Olympic team will come to McKale Center for an exhibition match.
"We haven't really talked about the U.S. National team," Rubio said. "We try not to look past opponents."

The injuries are mounting for the Wildcats. Carolyn Penfield is listed day-to-day after suffering a strained abdominal muscle against Oregon State on Sept. 27. Defensive specialist Sara Johnson pinched a nerve in her back last week, but should play this weekend. Outside hitter Michelle Fanger suffered from a minor head injury this weekend against USC and is also expected to play this weekend.
"Michelle practiced a little bit (on Monday)," Rubio said. "She really hit her head hard. I think she'll play this weekend."
Fanger is second on the team in kills with 111. She averages 2.02 kills per game and is first among non-setters in assists.

The future is coming and her name is Erin Aldrich. The freshman middle blocker took her game to another level this weekend.
She started on Friday against the Bruins and racked up seven kills, two service aces, four digs and 10 block assists. Against Southern Cal she had a career high 20 kills, two service aces, eight digs and four block assists.
Her play this weekend earned her a nomination for Pac-10 player of the week, an honor usually reserved for Barb Bell.
"(This weekend) it'll be Erin and Keisha (Johnson) in the middle," Rubio said. "She (Aldrich) has a long way to go before she reaches her potential."
If Aldrich is a long way from reaching her potential, there are more than a few who wonder what Aldrich is capable of achieving. One thing is certain: With Johnson, who was a member of the Pac-10 all-freshman team last year, and Aldrich in the middle, the Wildcats have potentially one of the best tandems in collegiate volleyball.

Michaela Ebben had a career match against the Trojans on Saturday. She had 61 assists, three kills, 13 digs and three block assists. This performance was after an average match against the Bruins, where she shared setting duties with freshman Kara Gormsen.
The Arizona record for assists in a match is 78, set by Heather McCormack against Washington State in 1991.

The Wildcats remain out of the top 25 rankings despite the victory over UCLA, which went up in the rankings. The Wildcats broke into the top 25 once this season, after beating San Diego State.

Heidi Bomberger, who normally splits playing time with Penfield, started both games for the Wildcats this weekend. She led the team in digs in both matches. Her 23-dig performance against Southern Cal was the best by any Arizona player this season.
"I was pleased with Heidi's performance," Rubio said. "She gives the team more ball control."
Bomberger has appeared in 102 straight matches at Arizona. She has never missed a match and has played in 376 of a possible 380 games in her Arizona career.