Arizona Sweeps By UTEP, Wins Arizona Invite
No. 21 Wildcats improve to 11-0 and run through non-conference slate undefeated. The win also gives Arizona its fourth consecutive tournament victory.
TUCSON, Ariz. – After a five set thriller to end Saturday’s play, the No. 21 Arizona volleyball team was very much delighted to sweep UTEP, 3-0 and improve its record to a perfect 11-0 over the non-conference schedule. With the win Arizona also claimed the 2009 Arizona Invitational title.
Tiffany Owens paced the Cats with 10 kills and seven digs as Arizona hit .266 over the three sets. Sophomore Dana Hutchinson led the team with 14 digs on the day.
“I know we’re a pretty good team and we could be a really great team, but we have deficiencies and we needed to score more,” said head coach Dave Rubio. “We’re going to sustain a really high level of play throughout the season. I don’t know what we’re going to get when in comes to conference play. But the record doesn’t matter, getting better is what matters. If we get better, I’ll be happy.”
Providing a boost off the bench was Elise Hendrickson and Kaylen Bannister. Bannister totaled eight kills while Hendrickson helped out with four digs.
Setter Paige Weber led the assist category once again with 26 dishes. Redshirt freshman Tori Moore also received playing time to end sets one and two.
“We’re definitely pleased to be 11-0 and but we can’t figure out or gage where we stand until we are in the conference play,” said Weber. “We’ll find out next weekend how prepared we actually are, but right now we are happy.”
Arizona now enters conference play next weekend and will host UCLA at 7 p.m. Friday night in McKale Center.
