Wildcats get needed challenge in winning Doubletree Classic

Adam F. Jarrold Arizona Daily Wildcat Wildcat senior outside hitter Michelle Fanger passes the ball during the final set of Arizona's 19-17, 15-12, 7-15, 15-10 win over Colorado State Saturday night at McKale Center. Fanger was named tournament MVP of the DoubleTree Guest Suites Classic.

After breezing past San Diego State in three games Friday night during the DoubleTree Guest Suites Classic at McKale Center, the Wildcats were tested by a veteran Colorado State team the following evening.

No. 24 CSU, who starts four seniors, fought hard the entire night and rallied from behind to capture leads. Arizona eventually won the match, 19-17, 15-12, 7-15, 15-10 and improved to 4-0 in winning its second straight tournament as 764 were in attendance.

For the first time this season, the Wildcats' competition challenged them like many Pacific 10 Conference teams will do later this season.

"They didn't give an inch through the entire match. 19-17, 15-12... it was so nice that we came out on top," UA head coach Dave Rubio said. "You measure each team by how they face adversaries and I like what I saw (Saturday)."

Colorado State (4-1) were down 7-2 in the first game and overcame the deficit after many Arizona errors, including net violations and missed serves.

"As tight as a match like this, all the minute things make a difference. One could determine the outcome of a very close match. It was fortunate that we were able to overcome (the errors)," Rubio said.

The score was tied 10 times in the opening match. Reserve middle blocker Marisa DaLee, a redshirt freshman, came in to play in the front row late in the game when Rubio had used up all his substitutions with sophomore Erin Aldrich.

"She just comes out of no where and plays great," Rubio said. "She's been so good in practice. As good as any player we have in the middle and that includes Erin Aldrich. She was able to sideout for us every single time."

DaLee posted two kills in four attacks in helping the Wildcats pull out the first game.

The Rams jumped out to a quick lead in the second game, leading 6-2. Arizona bounced back with the help of junior Keisha Johnson, another reserve middle blocker who made a big contribution, and went on to take the game.

Johnson, who finished the night with seven kills and four blocks, hammered a Colorado State overpass and recorded a block on the Rams' strongest attacker, senior Rainie Rogers. Rogers led the Rams with a game-high 22 kills.

"If you can feel good about a loss, well I do," Colorado State coach Tom Hilbert said. "We learned a lot from this match."

"Colorado State is a great team," UA outside hitter Carrie Penfield said. "They are steady and have a lot of experience."

The Rams were able to pull out the fourth game after trailing as much as 4-1. Both teams came out fired up in the final game. After tying the game at eight on an assisted block by Johnson and senior Michelle Fanger, the Wildcats scored the next six points. Though trailing 14-8, the Rams did not give up and scored two more points before Arizona won its fifth straight match.

"Through the whole last game we need to be more aggressive in those types of situations and not wait for the other team to make mistakes," Rubio said.

Fanger, an outside hitter, was named tournament MVP. She hit .500 percent during the Classic and added 21 digs. Her 16 digs against the Rams was a career high. Aldrich and seniors Michaela Ebben and Penfield were named to the all-tournament team.

Arizona powered past San Diego State Friday in a rematch of last season's first round tournament meeting which went to five games. Arizona won this match in just three games, winning 15-6, 15-7, 15-12. Fanger led Arizona with 12 kills and just one error.

Saturday's match pitted Penfield against her twin sister Janie. Nearly two dozen of their family members and friends were in the crowd to watch the duel.

"Knowing the people makes the match that much more exciting and intense," Carrie said.

Carrie got the upper hand on her twin, posting 16 kills, 14 digs and six blocks. Janie, who was named to the all-tournament team, recorded 10 kills, 13 digs and four blocks.

"This was definitely a very good match and definitely much more of a Pac-10 setting," Rubio said. "That team's going to the (NCAA) tournament."