After a rough part of the season the Arizona football team has lost their last 4 games, 3 of which were played against top 10 teams. Though the most difficult part of the season is over things don’t seem to be getting much better. Hopefully the lady wildcats can come out on top this weekend as our very own volleyball team hosts two top 5 teams back to back.
           Much like the football team the lady cats will be entering this challenging stretch of their schedule while coming off of a losing weekend. The volleyball team fell short against No. 4 California and again last Sunday against No. 6 Stanford.
           Hosted by the Cardinals, the lady cats lost 3-1, with scores of 25-21, 23-25, 25-15, and 25-18. Though it was scratched up as a loss, the wildcats seemed to barely trail behind. Arizona’s Senior outside hitter, Courtney Karst, ended the match with a record 21 kills. It was the most any Arizona player has scored in a match this season. It was a good match all around as senior hitter Curtsy Jackson ended with 15 kills, a personal best for the season, and freshman Madi Kingdon came through with 14. With three hitters going for triple digit kills freshman setter Chloe Mathis was able to finish with 51 assists.
           In an interview with the University of Arizona Athletics head coach David Rubio said “We certainly had our chances today. Games one and two were close, but we just could not get over the hump in games three and four. But I am encouraged, because we’re getting better.” Stanford’s star player for the match was sophomore Rachel Williams. Williams, an outside hitter, impressed everyone with 19 kills, 12 digs, and 11 blocks.
           This weekend will prove to be a challenging one as both the top 5 teams we will be hosting has more than proven their way into their ranked spots. From September 16 to October 2 USC has chalked up six impressive and consecutive conference wins all which have been won in 3 games. Friday the 7 we will be facing No. 5 ranked USC and No. 2 UCLA the following day. Arizona unfortunately suffers significant losing records with both of these teams. USC leads with 52-17 while UCLA leads with 52-18.
           The cats will be leaning toward their key players to lead them to victory this weekend. They have strong players in senior hitters, Curtsy Jackson and Marketa Hanzlova. Even more impressive are freshman Madi Kingdon and Chloe Mathis. Kingdon, an outside hitter from Phoenix leads the team in kills this season with 194 while the California native Mathis has already secured for herself the starting setting position with 321 assists.
            Though this may not be the season for the cats to shine the already impressive youngsters on this team prove that a building year is not the worst thing. I for one am sick of hearing about the boys on the football team. Also, yes I’ll admit I’m more than excited for basketball season to start, (16 days until the Red-Blue Game!) but these impressive ladies are not to be overlooked. Both games will be held this Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. in good ol’ McKale Center. Bear Down LADY Wildcats make us proud.