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Wildcat volleyball team fails at match points, loses to UCLA

By Ryan Finley
Arizona Daily Wildcat, October 25, 1999 Talk about this story

"When is a loss a loss?"

This was a question University of Arizona head coach David Rubio asked after the Wildcats couldn't convert on a 14-10 match-point lead in game four Friday night.

The No. 7 Bruins came back to sting the Wildcats 11-15, 15-6, 9-15, 16-14 and 15-13 in one of the most exciting matches for the Wildcats all season.

"There was one thing missing tonight," Rubio said. "We couldn't put them away."

The Wildcats were on the verge of a major upset over a UCLA team, who had only lost two games in 11 Pacific 10 Conference matches.

The Wildcats (12-7, 6-5) took game one as freshman outside hitter Lisa Rutledge hit .500 from the field with eight kills.

UCLA sophomore Kristee Porter, who had 10 kills in game one, added another seven kills in game two as the Bruins coasted over UA, 15-6. The Wildcats appeared overpowered by Porter and the Bruins, whose ability to terminate the ball often left UA stunned.

"There's no answer to Kristee Porter," Rubio said. "We just went out there and hoped to get some breaks against her. It's scary to think she's just a sophomore."

The Wildcats used timely kills to take game three by the score of 15-9. By the end of the third game, three Wildcats, senior outside hitter Raelene Elam, junior middle blocker Marisa DaLee and Rutledge had double digits in kills.

The momentum definitely appeared to be swinging in the Wildcats' direction as DaLee added another six kills in game four allowing the Wildcats to jump ahead 14-10, making it match point. A single point would cement one of the biggest upsets in the '90s for Arizona.

Four failed match points later, the Wildcats were on their heels. The Bruins first tied it, then won the game as they scored six straight points with their backs against the wall to force a fifth and decisive game.

"There was a definite momentum shift when they won game four," Rutledge said. "Kristee (Porter) was hitting everything. We knew that if we gave up, the match was over."

After failing to win game four, UA made a late run in game five, but the Bruins prevailed 15-13.

"I'm disappointed that we couldn't terminate the ball when it counted," Rutledge said. "They're really, really good."

Porter finished the match with 36 kills and nine digs, as she hit .409 from the field.

The Wildcats, though, came out of this loss with their heads up and had confidence restored after getting blown out by USC at home Thursday night.

"I'm really glad that we played them tight," Rutledge said. "We needed this to prepare for the rest of the season and the NCAA tournament."

The Wildcats have little time to lick their wounds, however, as the No. 8 Brigham Young Cougars come to town tomorrow night in a vital non-conference match.

"Our goal right now is to beat BYU," Rutledge said.


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