Rubio's lineups opening up possibilities

Leigh-Anne Brown Arizona Daily Wildcat Raelene Morton (4) and Keisha Johnson (15) elevate to block a spike during Sunday's game against the Australian volleyball team. Arizona (7-0) has been untested and unmatched in its previous games, however, tonight's game with San Diego State should be different.

Middle blocker Erin Aldrich hit from the left side Sunday in an exhibition match and finished with six kills. Since the departure of UA kill leader Barb Bell due to graduation last year, the No. 18 Wildcats could use some help at the outside hitter position.

"She gives us flexibility. Our strength is in the middle. We're trying to develop the (left side) position more," Rubio said.

Before the Wildcats (7-0) open Pacific 10 Conference play at UCLA Friday and Southern Cal Saturday, however, they must take care of business tonight at 7 in their final non-conference match when they host unranked San Diego State at McKale Center.

Aldrich spent the summer away from the volleyball court competing internationally in the high jump and was rusty when fall practice began last month.

"I'm getting better out there," Aldrich said. "Its taken me a while to get back into it. I'm moving in the right direction and (setter) Michaela (Ebben) and I are starting to connect better."

Aldrich, who leads the Wildcats in blocks with 29 on the season, is coming off her best weekend. Over the three contests in the DoubleTree Invitational, Aldrich was named to the all-tournament team after posting seven blocks and hitting 18 kills and five errors in 40 attempts for a .325 hitting percentage.

The middle blocking group of Aldrich, Stephanie Venne, Keisha Johnson and Marisa DaLee combined hitting percentage is .341.

"Our whole middle blocker core is one of the top in the conference and the country. Very few are as good as ours," Rubio said last week.

He hopes to play Aldrich at the left side for a few rotations as the season progresses.

Rubio said he is expecting a "pretty competitive match" from the Aztecs tonight.

San Diego State is 5-2 after being swept by ninth-ranked Southern Cal last Thursday.

The two Arizona starters who were rested this weekend with minor injuries Ü Michelle Fanger with a sprained left foot and Venne with shin splints Ü are expected to play tonight.

The Wildcats, who rank fifth in the nation in kills per game, have been tested just a few times in their preseason matches, having only dropped two games in seven nonconference matches and Sunday's exhibition against the Australian National Team. They are two wins away from tying the record they set last season by winning their first nine matches.

"Everyday Dave reminds us that we still have UCLA and SC," Aldrich said. "They're going to be a lot different than our preseason matches. It's going to be a big step for us and we need to stay cool about it and not get big-headed."

Rubio said the contests have also been successful in showing him what players are capable of and what roles they play in match situations.

"Marisa is a player who warrants a chance to see more playing time," Rubio said.

Other reserves who have impressed him include outside hitters Tatisha Ely, a redshirt freshman, and true freshman Allison Napier.

"We're looking forward to getting back into the heat of things (with the Pac-10)," Rubio said. "The big thing we need to guard against is looking past San Diego State. We need to make sure we're well prepared."