By
Kamy Shaygan
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Pac-10 loaded with elite teams
For the first time in history, the Arizona women's volleyball team is entering at season with a top-10 ranking. The No. 10 Wildcats begin their 2000 season tomorrow at the "Diggin' It" 2000 Tournament held at the Cox Arena in San Diego.
Expectations are high for the Wildcats in 2000, although head coach David Rubio believes that team with the right group of elements is going to win the Pacific-10 Conference title.
"I think the team that can overcome all the little bumps on the way, that can problem-solve, and the team that stays healthy is going to win the conference -along with being favored to win the national championship," Rubio said.
Although the Wildcats are ranked 10th in the nation, they are only ranked fourth in their own conference behind No. 1 UCLA, No. 3 Stanford, and No. 7 USC.
Rubio believes that the polls can be misleading and that his Wildcats can compete with any of the teams in the Pac-10.
"I think we're every bit as good and every bit as talented as all the teams in the conference," Rubio said.
Rubio believes that one of the reasons UCLA is the top-ranked team in the nation is because of the talent of junior outside hitter Kristee Porter.
"They got the best player in the country on their team - Kristee Porter - who is one of the top middles in the country," he said.
Rubio insisted that the team to watch out for is Southern California, who enters 2000 with three of the top freshmen in the country.
"They have three freshmen that will probably start," Rubio said. "Those three freshmen are unbelievable - they are probably the three top freshmen in the country."
The Wildcats, though, will remain relatively the same team after having lost only one player - Raelene Elam - from last year. Despite her departure, the team's chemistry will remain mostly the same.
"We're that much more closer," starting senior middle blocker Marisa DaLee said. "We have everyone back except one person."
DaLee, who was an All-Pac-10 middle blocker selection last season, was second in the conference in kill percentage (.381), fifth in blocks per game (1.23) and eighth in kills per game (3.71).
"Marisa is, in my mind, one of the top middle blockers in the country," Rubio said. "No one is offensively like her. She's just terrific."
Starting opposite DaLee will be sophomore middle blocker Stefani Saragosa.
Saragosa, who was an Honorable Mention Pac-10 All-Freshmen last season, averaged 0.98 blocks per game in only her first year of collegiate play.
"She is super in terms of being a great learner and working hard," Rubio said. "There are some things she gives us that really helps our team chemistry - she's fiery."
Starting alongside Saragosa will be junior All-Pac-10 setter Dana Burkholder. Burkholder, who set an Arizona single-season record last year by averaging 12.89 assists per game, is fifth on the all-time UA assist list.
Rubio believes that one of the key elements to success for the Wildcats is starting junior outside hitter Jill Talbot, who averaged 2.07 kills per game last season. One of the team's best servers, Talbot notched 41 aces in 1999.
"I think Jill is part of the glue that holds this team together. She's our best passer on the team right now," Rubio said. "I wouldn't trade Jill Talbot for anybody in the country. I just love the way she plays."
Rubio must love the way Talbot thinks too, as she believes the Wildcats' chance to win a national championship are better than ever.
"I think this year - in comparison to the last two years - we finally have what we need," Talbot said. "We have all the right weapons. We have no more excuses. I think we should get it done this year."
