By Ron Parsons
Arizona Daily Wildcat
With two home victories over the Oregon schools this weekend, the No. 13 Arizona women's volleyball team upped its record to 12-3 overall and 4-3 in the Pacific 10 Conference.
Arizona won both matches four games to one. Friday, in front of about 1,100 fans at McKale Center, the Wildcats defeated the Oregon State Beavers 15-11, 9-15, 15-11, 15-3. Saturday Arizona beat Oregon 15-4, 15-8, 13-15, 15-5. Attendance was around 1,600.
During Saturday's match against the Ducks (6-9, 0-6 in the conference), the Wildcats had more to celebrate than just an important conference win.
Senior setter Laura Bartsch, who tallied 38 assists against Oregon State (6-9, 1-5), broke the Arizona career assist record during the match. The previous mark of 3,517 was set by Heather McCormack (1989-92). Bartsch now leads with 3,537.
The 5-foot-7-inch Bartsch was given a plaque commemorating the moment in a postgame ceremony.
"It's a great achievement," Arizona coach David Rubio said of Bartsch's accomplishment. "You really don't realize the significance of it right now."
The record might be safe for a while as Rubio said he does not anticipate a freshman setter coming into the program who will be able to start, and play as many matches, as Bartsch has.
Bartsch wanted to give her teammates credit for the feat. "They're the ones who get the kills," she said.
Two of those who recorded kills against the Ducks thanks to Bartsch were junior Barb Bell and sophomore Stephanie Venne. Bell, an outside hitter, had 13 kills. Venne, a middle blocker, had 12 kills, two solo blocks, and eight block assists.
"Stephanie is an unheralded hero for us right now," Rubio said. "People just now are starting to realize how good she is. The reality is, she's a damn good player."
Venne said that as the season has progressed she has become more comfortable in her role as one of Arizona's primary offensive weapons.
"I'm just trying to prove I'm a consistent player," Venne said. "I'm getting more comfortable."
After the Wildcats won the first two games handily, Oregon rallied to beat Arizona in the third. The Ducks were led by outside hitter Shelby Edwards (11 kills) and middle blocker Amy McNeel (nine kills, 14 assists).
Venne said Arizona let up, allowing the Ducks to win the game.
"We kind of relaxed a little. We didn't play as tough as we had been," she said.
Rubio said "We just didn't execute, and Oregon started to play a lot better. I got worried there."
Bartsch, who had been substituted in favor of sophomore setter Michaela Ebben after the record was broken, returned to lead the Wildcats to victory in game four.
"Laura was at her best in that fourth game," Rubio said. "She really influenced the match, and that was great."
Friday night's match with the Beavers was a case of strength in numbers for the Wildcats. Rubio went to his bench early and often, and players like Ebben received significant floor time.
Ebben had 21 assists against the Beavers, who were led by first team all-conference hitter Heather Lowe (18 kills).
UA's Bell again topped the Wildcat kill list, hitting for 15 kills and adding 14 digs and three solo blocks. Venne had 13 kills and six block assists.