By Arlie Rahn
Arizona Daily Wildcat
It was a heartbreaking end to a great season.
The Arizona women's volleyball team (15-10) could not overcome a talented Southern Cal team as the Wildcats lost 15-7, 15-9, and 15-7 last night in the West Regionals of the NCAA tournament, held in Palo Alto, Calif.
"It's about as rough as it gets," said UA coach Dave Rubio following the match. "It just boils down to the fact that they were more prepared than we were."
For a team that was flying high in its first two matches, this loss hurts even more, especially because the team's strengths in the tournament thus far Ä serving and passing Ä were missing in action last night.
"It's kind of frustrating," Rubio said. "We lost the game in the serving and passing department. Mentally and physically we weren't in the game."
What the Wildcats did successfully in their first two matches was control the game. But they were on the other end of the stick against USC. With the Trojans' talented attackers and blockers, the Wildcats found themselves constantly playing catch-up all night.
"They dictated the tempo against us," Rubio said. "USC has so many strengths. Their middles and their outside hitters did a great job."
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STANFORD, Calif. (AP) - Cary Wendell had 14 kills last night to lead Stanford to a 15-8, 15-3, 15-6 victory over Arizona State in the West Regional semifinals of the NCAA volleyball championships.
Stanford raised its record to 29-1 while Arizona State fell to 18-10.
Freshman Kristin Folkl contributed 11 kills for the Cardinal. Christine Garner had 11 kills and Leanne Schuster added 10 for Arizona State.