Positive thinking leads to positive results for Elam

Nicholas Valenzuela Arizona Daily Wildcat UA outside hitter Raelene Elam (4) saves a ball during a game vs. Portland State at McKale Center. Elam had 20 kills against Stanford last Friday, and 14 against Cal last Sunday setting two personal match-highs.

"Raelene's play is significantly different from last year," head coach Dave Rubio said. "This year her mental habits make her one of the most stable players."

Elam began her career at the UA in 1996 after graduating from Gridley High School in California. She attributes her experience over the years to her improvement on the court this season.

"When you start as a freshman, you're still confused with the style and level of play," Elam said. "Then as a sophomore, you're not as confused, but you're still trying to figure out what to do. By the time you're a junior, there's still room for improvement, but now you know what you need to do."

Elam has proven she knows what needs to be done this season.

She came back from California last weekend leading the team in kills for both games. She had 20 against Stanford last Friday and 14 against Cal Sunday.

"Raelene is an aggressive passer," Rubio said. "She personifies what a great competitor is."

Elam said that she did nothing special to prepare for the big games, except keep the strong mental focus she has for every match she enters.

"I take every game the same," she said.

Rubio said that as a coach he realizes that Elam has the characteristics that he wants to magnify as a role for the team.

"She's a catalyst for us," he said.

Elam said a change from her mental thinking last year has helped her pick up her game.

"My mental thought (process) is a lot better," she said. "I used to beat myself up over mistakes last year. This year though, I apologize, but then don't let it go to my mind to affect my playing. I know that won't do any good because last year I got stuck on my mistakes instead of moving past them."

It is that change of thinking which has helped her lead the underclassman.

"I remember what it is like to be new and to make mistakes," she said. "So, I just never doubt them. I show them how to laugh it off and try harder the next time."

She also added how exciting it is to have a recruiting team in which any one of the players can step in and have a good game.

"I think we have the best recruiting team in the nation," she said.

And although Elam is the only remaining starter from the '97 season, the Wildcats are having no problem putting the chemistry of the new and old players together to obtain a team record of 11-1.

"I don't feel that I'm the only returning starter," she said. "Keisha (Johnson Demps), Alli (Allison Napier) and Marisa (DaLee) started so many games last year that it feels like they've been starting forever."

Elam and the Wildcats set off today for Oregon to face the Beavers tomorrow and the Ducks Sunday.

"I want to return home with two Ws from this weekend," Rubio said to his players after practice last night.

Kate Longworth can be reached via e-mail at Kate.Longworth@wildcat.arizona.edu.