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Volleyball team has experience it lacked in the past, says head coach

Wildcat File Photo Arizona Summer Wildcat Sophomore setter Dana Burkholder sets the ball in a match last season. Burkholder will miss the first five games of the 1999 season because she is busy competing in the World Junior Games in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Like most athletic teams on campus last year, the UA volleyball team had a lot of new faces and still managed to put together a fine season. Now, with a year of experience under its belt, the team is looking to make a run in the Pacific-10 Conference and a splash on the national scene.

The team returns every player except All-Pac-10 middle blocker Keisha Johnson Demps. Senior outside hitter Raelene Elam, junior outside hitter Marisa DaLee and sophomore setter Dana Burkholder will be expected to lead the team through a difficult schedule that begins Sept. 1 at Texas-El Paso.

They will be without Burkholder and freshman outside hitter Lisa Rutledge for the first five games, including the season opener and the Embassy Suites Wildcat Classic, which Arizona hosts over Labor Day Weekend. Additionally, they travel to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, to compete in the World Junior Games.

"I think it's a wonderful opportunity for us as a team, because we can develop other parts of our team, so we don't have to rely on Dana as much as we do," head coach David Rubio said. "When they come back, it'll be a great benefit to our team, because other players will have gained some experience."

The team had six newcomers a year ago and finished 22-7 and No. 20 in the nation. The Wildcats signed four highly-touted prep players from California-ØShannon Torresgrosa, Stephanie Saragosa, Christina Frost and Lisa Rutledge.

"They are very excited, but still very young," Rubio said. "This is also going to be a season where our schedule is significantly tougher than the others. Our non-conference schedule is as tough as ever, and I think we'll be tested early and often."

Fans got their first look at this year's team at its annual scrimmage on Friday evening at McKale Center.

The white team defeated the red 3-1, but many players switched sides several times.

"I was pleased with a lot of aspects of the scrimmage and disappointed in others," Rubio said. "We defended, served and set well, but we need to pass the ball a little better."