Volleyball team cruises past weekend matches

Nicholas Valenzuela Arizona Daily Wildcat Wildcat outside hitter Carolyn Penfield (14) slides for the ball while teammates, setter Michaela Ebben (1) and outside hitter Raelene Morton (4) react to the play. The volleyball team beat the Australian National team 15-7, 15-10, 15-5. UA hosts San Diego State tomorrow at McKale Center.

Just about everyone got to play and some starters saw action in different positions.

Middle blocker Erin Aldrich played on the left side and outside hitter Raelene Morton played on the right side during parts of the Wildcats' 15-7, 15-10, 15-5 win over the Australian National Team in an exhibition match at McKale Center.

"I'm so accustomed to playing in the middle, so it was a nice change," Aldrich said. "It was good to be able to hit on the left side."

"It was a good experience for (the Australians) and we got a chance to play a lot of our younger kids...Once we get into the (Pacific 10 Conference) I'm not sure how many minutes I can give them," head coach Dave Rubio said.

Rubio was also able to give seniors Stephanie Venne and Michelle Fanger a chance to rest and recover form injuries. Fanger sprained her left foot Saturday in Arizona's win over UNLV and Venne, who is suffering from shin splints, was given an extra day to recover. Both are expected to play when Arizona hosts San Diego State tomorrow night in its final preseason match.

The Wildcats (7-0) had little trouble during yesterday's 84 minute match despite playing without two starters.

"I was hoping (the match) would be a little more competitive for us," Rubio said.

Junior middle blocker Keisha Johnson led Arizona with nine kills. Four other Wildcats added six kills and Sandra Bowen led the Australians (0-5) with 11. Johnson also posted three blocks and two service aces.

"Keisha has really stepped up in the last couple of weeks," Rubio said. "She's making good decisions and executing (the ball). As a result, we're playing at a lot higher level."

No. 18 Arizona won its third consecutive tournament earlier in the weekend during the DoubleTree Invitational at McKale Center. The Wildcats did not lose a single game in their final preseason tournament as they cruised past San Francisco (15-1, 15-7, 15-8) and New Mexico State (15-9, 15-4, 15-9) Friday and UNLV (15-7, 15-10, 15-3) Saturday.

"I think everything's going in the right direction," Aldrich said. "These games are more to get used to each other and learning how we all get together on the court, which is a common deal for teams in the preseason."

Setter Michaela Ebben, the tournament's most valuable player, posted 118 assists through the three matches. She was joined on the all-tournament team by teammates Carrie Penfield, Aldrich, Morton and Fanger.

Fanger's .750 hitting percentage Friday against San Francisco tied a UA single game record. She recorded 13 kills and one error in 16 attempts.

"This weekend was good. We really didn't get pushed at all," Rubio said. "We need to be careful we don't get a false sense of confidence and need to make sure we're coming in tough and ready for practice."