Volleyball Closes Out Arizona Invitational with FAMU, CSUN
09/02/2015 | Volleyball
WEEK 2 (SEPT. 4-5): ARIZONA INVITATIONAL // McKale Center
| #16 ARIZONA WILDCATS (4-0) | South Dakota Coyotes (0-4) | Florida A&M Rattlers (0-4) | Cal State Northridge Matadors (1-3) |
| Schedule | Schedule | Schedule | Schedule |
| Roster | Roster | Roster | Roster |
| Statistics | Statistics | Statistics | Statistics |
| Match Notes | Match Notes | Match Notes | Match Notes |
MATCH 1: Cal State Northridge 3, Florida A&M 1 (20-25, 25-17, 25-15, 25-21)
Box Score
MATCH 2: ARIZONA 3, SOUTH DAKOTA 0 (25-13, 25-23, 25-14)
Box Score // Photo Gallery // Highlights
MATCH 3: SATURDAY, SEPT. 5 // 10:00 A.M. PDT // ARIZONA VS. FLORIDA A&M
Live Video // Live Stats // Live Updates
MATCH 4: SATURDAY, SEPT. 5 // 12:00 P.M. PDT // CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE VS. SOUTH DAKOTA
MATCH 5: SATURDAY, SEPT. 5 // 5:00 P.M. PDT // SOUTH DAKOTA VS. FLORIDA A&M
MATCH 6: SATURDAY, SEPT. 5 // 7:00 P.M. PDT // ARIZONA VS. CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE
Live Video // Live Stats // Live Updates
THIS WEEK: After a 3-0 start to the season, the 16th-ranked Wildcats are set to open their 2015 home campaign with the Arizona Invitational, a two-day, six-match event that will feature Arizona, South Dakota, Florida A&M and Cal State Northridge. Arizona meets South Dakota for its home opener on Friday at 6 p.m. before taking on both Florida A&M (10 a.m.) and Cal State Northridge (7 p.m.) on Saturday.
QUICK HITS
· Arizona is coming off an impressive start at the SMU Invite last weekend, defeating the host Mustangs in four sets before sweeping Texas State and Abilene Christian to begin the year 3-0 for the second consecutive season. UA will try to begin the season 6-0 for the second straight year this week.
· In the Wildcats sweep of the SMU Invite, Arizona used a combination of stellar defense and consistent offense, including impressive production from some newcomers. Including leading Arizona with 16 kills in her first career match, freshman Tyler Spriggs put together a great debut weekend, averaging 2.90 kills/set (third on the team) on a .253 hitting percentage. Senior transfer Nikki Attea led Arizona with 33 kills on a robust .312 hitting percentage.
· Coinciding with the arrival of assistant coach Gregg Whitis, who works mainly with Arizona's defensive specialists, Arizona's defense has been historic the last two seasons and looks to pick up right where it left off. UA posted its top two digs/set figures in school history each of the last two years, leading the Pac-12 with 17.87 digs/set in 2014, breaking the school record of 17.42 digs/set in 2013. Through three matches this year, UA leads the conference with 21.30 digs/set.
· All-conference setter Penina Snuka is currently second in the conference in both assists (10.90/set) and digs (5.60/set). The junior ranks eighth in Arizona history with 2,539 assists and is approaching the top 10 in digs with 848.
· Snuka has recorded a double-double in all three of Arizona's matches this season. She led the Pac-12 with 25 a season ago.
· Kalei Mau's 31 digs against Southern Methodist tied for the fifth-most in school history and third-most in a four-set match. As a team, the Cats totaled 112 digs, the seventh-highest total in program history. Mau was named Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week for her efforts.
· Though the Wildcats will have question marks offensively, the defense should once again be solid. Arizona has excelled the last two years, posting the two best dig/set totals in school history, including a school record 17.87 last season. Laura Larson will likely assume the starting libero position after spending the summer as the starting libero for Team USA in the World University Games. Arizona also welcomes three transfers (Anna Panagiotakopoulos - West Virginia, McKenna Painton - Cal State Fullerton and Mackenzie Kleespies - James Madison) all of whom were the primary liberos t their previous schools. UA has led the conference in digs each of the last two seasons.
· Arizona swept the Arizona Invitational in 2014, needing the minimum nine sets to defeat Alabama State, Loyola-Chicago and Cal State Northridge. The sweep gave the Wildcats a 6-0 record. Should UA do it again, it will be the ninth 6-0 start in program history.
OPPONENTS
South Dakota: The Coyotes (0-3) were swept by Butler, Wyoming and Ohio State at the Wyoming Tournament to open the season. SDU is coming off a 19-12 season in 2014 and return setter Brittany Jessen, who averaged 10.73 assists/set. Arizona and South Dakota are meeting for the second straight season; the Cats and the Coyotes opened the season last year at the Green Bay Tournament... Arizona won in four sets.
Series History: Arizona 1-0 // First Meeting: 2014 // Last Meeting: 8/29/14; Tucson, Ariz. - Arizona 3-1 (25-20, 20-25, 25-20, 25-19)
Florida A&M: The Rattlers (0-3) were swept by Kansas State, Miami and Illinois State at the University of Miami Tournament to open the season. FAMU is coming off a 13-15 campaign in 2014. Arizona and Florida A&M met last season at the 26 West Longhorn Classic in Austin, Texas, with Arizona defeating the Rattlers in straight sets.
Series History: Arizona 1-0 // First Meeting: 2014 // Last Meeting: 9/13/14; Austin, Texas - Arizona 3-0 (25-20, 25-23, 25-13)
Cal State Northridge: The Matadors (0-3) were swept by Lispcomb, No. 23 Utah and Idaho State in the season-opening Utah Classic. CSUN was picked fourth in the Big West following a 19-12 season in 2014. The Matadors are led by outside hitter Cieana Stinson (4.82 k/s, .283 hitting percentage). Cal State Northridge graduate Dave Rubio has a 4-2 record all-time record against his alma mater, including a sweep in the 2014 Arizona Invitational.
Series History: Arizona 4-2 // First Meeting: 2014 // Last Meeting: 9/6/14; Tucson, Ariz. - Arizona 3-0 (25-16, 25-21, 25-22)
HEAD COACH DAVE RUBIO: The longest active tenured volleyball coach in the Pac-12, Dave Rubio is in his 24th season at the helm of the Arizona volleyball program. Rubio has led the Wildcats to the NCAA Tournament in 17 of his 23 seasons as the head coach, including five of the last six seasons. Rubio, who guided the 2000 club to a Pac-10 title and the 2001 squad to the Final Four, holds a 443-263 (.628) all-time record at Arizona.
RANKINGS: Arizona is ranked 16th in the AVCA Top 25, up one spot from its No. 17 preseason ranking, its highest preseason ranking since an identical ranking of 17th heading into the 2005 season. Arizona is one of a record nine Pac-12 teams in the poll. Arizona has been in 17 consecutive polls, dating back week 1 of last year, including 14 straight top-20 rankings. Arizona finished 2014 ranked 16th.
SETTING THE TONE: All-conference setter Penina Snuka has excelled in her two-plus seasons as the Wildcats' setter and will be the key piece in Arizona's success in 2015. Snuka was an honorable mention All-American a season ago when she totaled 1,234 assists (10.82/set) as well as 453 digs, third in Arizona history. Snuka led the Pac-12 in double-doubles in 2014 with 25. After just two seasons, Snuka is already eighth in Arizona history with 2,539 assists and moving quickly up the digs chart. Snuka is already 281 digs away from cracking the Arizona top 10 and 298 digs away from recording the most digs from a setter in school history.
FRESH FACES: When Arizona takes the court there will be plenty of new faces for fans to learn. Nearly 70% of Arizona's roster (13 of 19) is made up of players that will see their first action for Arizona in 2015. This includes eight freshmen, four transfers and a redshirt freshman. Arizona's eight-player recruiting class is ranked 14th nationally and includes four top-100 recruits: Sarah Dixon (30), Tyler Spriggs (37), Kendra Dahlke (49) and Meghan Buzzerio (95). The four transfers should play an even greater role as they each bring an invaluable resource to the team: experience. UA welcomes honorable mention All-American Nikki Attea from West Virginia as well as the Mountaineer's primary libero Anna Panagiotakopoulos. Additionally the Cats welcome Mackenzie Kleespies from James Madison and McKenna Painton from Cal State Fullerton, both of whom served as the libero at their previous schools.
SWEET 16: PrepVolleyball.com ranked the Top 25 Division I Volleyball programs of all time, ranking Arizona 16th siting the 18 seasons Arizona has finished in the Top 25, including last year. This ranking is a credit to the work that head coach Dave Rubio has put in during his 23-plus years as the head coach at Arizona. Though there has always been high quality volleyball at Arizona, Rubio has taken things to a new level. Rubio took over a program that won four total tournament games in history and equaled that total within his first three years. In all, volleyball has been to 26 NCAA Tournaments, including five of the last six and 17 total under Rubio. Arizona has been to seven Sweet 16s, four Elite 8s and advanced to the 2001 Final Four. Arizona finished in the top five in five seasons, including a high of No. 4 in 2001.
BEAR DOWN FOR LIFE: Basketball stars Harvey Mason and Joe Turner were teammates on Arizona's first Final Four team in 1988 and now the two can get together and watch their daughters compete in the same arena. Harvey's daughter Mia and Joe's daughter Jade will both continue the family legacy at Arizona. Mia Mason is a true freshman defensive specialist while Jade Turner is a redshirt freshman middle blocker.
A NEW LOOK: The Wildcats lose several key contributors from the 2014 club that will need to be replaced in 2015. In addition to the graduation of five key seniors, the Cats will also be without outside hitter Ashley Harris, who is taking a leave of absence for personal reasons. Harris, All-American Madi Kingdon and Taylor Arizobal were Arizona's primary scoring options last season, and all are gone now. UA also lost starting libero Ronni Lewis and key role players MB Rachel Rhoades and DS Kennedy Wesley.
Though the Wildcats lose a significant amount of offense, all-conference setter Penina Snuka will have plenty of options to set this season, a majority of whom are in their first season with the program. UA welcomes three freshmen outside hitters, all of whom were top-100 recruits - Kendra Dahlke, Tyler Spriggs and Meghan Buzzerio. Additionally, the Cats welcome honorable mention All-American Nikki Attea from West Virginia for her senior season. Attea totaled 292 kills on .269 hitting in 2014. Junior outside hitter Kalei Mau, who saw limited action as a sophomore, will play a large role as well.
NEW DIGS: Historic McKale Center received a roughly-$30 million facelift prior to the 2014 season. The first phase of the multi-phase renovation included brand new seats in the arena, a new court, a new state-of-the-art video board, new LED screens around the arena, upgraded concessions and bathrooms in the concourse (still in progress) and a new locker room complete with a lounge area and kitchenette. Head coach Dave Rubio said of the facility, “Our goal was to have the nicest, most state-of-the-art locker room in the country. I think, thanks to our administration, that is exactly what we got. It's pretty exciting and beautiful.”
ALONG FOR THE RIDE: Follow the Arizona volleyball team on its various social media accounts to keep up with the Cats all season long.
Twitter: @ArizonaVBall
Instagram: @ArizonaVBall
YouTube: Arizona Volleyball
UP NEXT: Arizona returns to the road, heading east to Brooklyn, N.Y. to compete in the Blackbird Invitational. The Cats will face Syracuse and Ohio State along with host LIU-Brooklyn.
