Search

ARCHIVES
CONTACT US
WORLD NEWS

Wildcats in for tough weekend

The No. 15-ranked UA women's volleyball team will compete against some of the country's up-and-coming programs this weekend when they host the Embassy Suites Wildcat Classic at McKale Center.

Kent State, San Diego, Sacramento State and Santa Clara will aim to knock off the Wildcats (1-0 overall), who opened their season with a three-game sweep of Texas-El Paso on Wednesday night.

"This weekend's tournament is going to be a strong one," UA assistant coach Charita Johnson said.

UA head coach Dave Rubio agreed with the strength of the opposition.

"We're looking forward to the competition," he said. "All teams present a challenge. Each team shows us a different look, we're just trying to keep our head above water this weekend."

Here's a look at some of the teams the Wildcats will be facing this weekend, in the order that they play Arizona.

Kent State ( Today at 2:30 p.m.)

1998 Overall Record: 11-21

1998 Conference Record: 5-13 (5th in Mid American Conference)

Returning Starters: five

The Golden Flashes are trying to dig themselves out of MAC mediocrity with a strong early season schedule. In her three years at the helm, head coach Maura Kanim stands at a 31-33 overall record.

Seniors Kellie Nowak and Carrie Patterson play the leadership roles for the team, after having both been starters since their freshman years on campus. Nowak, an outside hitter, averaged 2.24 kills and 1.26 digs per game last year. Patterson, also an outside hitter, added just over 3.3 digs per game last year.

"From what the coach tells me, they are incredibly young this year," Rubio said of Kent State. "Despite their youth, they will be sure to give us a game."

Santa Clara (Tonight at 7 p.m.)

1998 Overall Record: 20-10

1998 Conference Record: 11-3 (2nd in West Coast Conference)

Returning Starters: six

The Broncos are coming off their first 20-win season. Head coach John Wallace, in his first season after a seven year stint as an assistant coach at Pepperdine, will look to continue Santa Clara's winning ways.

They return every starter, led by junior setter Roz Palayo. Palayo averaged 14.3 assists per game in 1998, good for eighth in the nation. Junior outside hitter Ynez Carrasco lit up WCC opponents last season with a 3.6 kill per game average.

"They return every one, so that's incredibly scary," Rubio said of Santa Clara. "Based on experience alone they should definitely compete."

Sacramento State (Saturday at noon)

1998 Record: 26-9

1998 Conference Record: 15-1 (Big Sky Conference Champions)

Returning Starters: four

The 1999 season could mark the culmination of decades of Hornets' greatness. Head coach Debby Coldberg, who just became the 11th coach to reach 600 victories last year, posts a .747 winning percentage over her 23 years at Sacramento State. With another 20 wins, Coldberg will move into 10th all-time in victories. Former UA assistant coach Candy Murphy joins the Hornets as assistant this season.

Senior outside hitter Angela Lewis, the teams offensive leader, has already redefined excellence at Sacramento State, posting over 2,400 attacks in her three seasons as a Hornet.

"There is a very little difference from the way they played last year," Rubio said about Sacramento State. "They are not very physical, so their high flying game should keep them competitive."

[No. 19] San Diego (Saturday at 7 p.m.)

1998 Overall Record: 24-6

1998 Conference Record: 12-2 (WCC Champions)

Returning Starters: five

Losing only one starter from the 1998 team, the newest face to the WCC title favorites Toreros line-up is head coach Jennifer Torns.

First Team All-American and WCC Player of the Year, Petia Yanchulova, who averaged 5.9 kills per game and 3.9 digs per game in 1998, looks to better those marks this year.

"They're very experienced personal-wise," Rubio said of San Diego. "Of the teams we have to play this weekend the Toreros are far and away the best. You see an All-American on their roster and you wonder what they are capable of."