5 Sets with McKenna Painton
12/07/2016 | Volleyball
On a team loaded with talent, senior McKenna Painton has established herself as one of the most steady options for head coach Dave Rubio.
Painton has played 119 out of a possible 130 sets this season, one year after playing 102 sets. The Cal State Fullerton transfer has racked up 214 digs on the year, including a season high 12 against Oregon State (9/30) and Oregon (10/28). All told, she has recorded double digit digs seven different times.
While known for her defensive prowess, Painton got in on the offensive action with her first kill of the season against Cleveland State. She now has a perfect hitting percentage, as she helped her team move past the first round of the NCAA Tournament. In the second round against No. 9 Michigan State, Painton chipped in with an ace and eight digs, as the Wildcats upset the Spartans and moved on to the Sweet 16. Arizona will now face No. 8 Washington in Lincoln, Nebraska on Friday, Dec. 9th with a berth to the Elite 8 on the line.
ArizonaWildcats.com had the chance to sit down with Painton before the team departed for Lincoln, and we chatted both about last weekend's success and the upcoming match.
How did you and the rest of the seniors keep the team motivated against Michigan State after falling 25-17 in the first set?
"We really just needed to go back to what we know how to do and get back to the basics. We just needed to trust ourselves and our training and implement that into the next few sets."
What are you looking forward to most about your Sweet 16 matchup against Washington?
"I think we're just excited to be here and compete at such a high level. We obviously can't wait to get a rematch against (Pac-12 rival) Washington."
What are your favorite and least favorite parts about traveling across the country for the NCAA Tournament?
"I'd say the only con is that it takes a toll on your studies, especially so close to finals. But the pros are that we all get to travel together as a team, and really experience a great thing together."
Why do you think the team has excelled against ranked opponents?
"I think that we tend to play better against higher levels of competition. I'm not sure why, but I think that it will go in our favor from here on out."
What will you miss most about Arizona when your season finishes up?
"I'll definitely miss my teammates and my coaches. Just the environment of being around everyone everyday, it's like a family. So I'll miss that a lot."
Painton has played 119 out of a possible 130 sets this season, one year after playing 102 sets. The Cal State Fullerton transfer has racked up 214 digs on the year, including a season high 12 against Oregon State (9/30) and Oregon (10/28). All told, she has recorded double digit digs seven different times.
While known for her defensive prowess, Painton got in on the offensive action with her first kill of the season against Cleveland State. She now has a perfect hitting percentage, as she helped her team move past the first round of the NCAA Tournament. In the second round against No. 9 Michigan State, Painton chipped in with an ace and eight digs, as the Wildcats upset the Spartans and moved on to the Sweet 16. Arizona will now face No. 8 Washington in Lincoln, Nebraska on Friday, Dec. 9th with a berth to the Elite 8 on the line.
ArizonaWildcats.com had the chance to sit down with Painton before the team departed for Lincoln, and we chatted both about last weekend's success and the upcoming match.
How did you and the rest of the seniors keep the team motivated against Michigan State after falling 25-17 in the first set?
"We really just needed to go back to what we know how to do and get back to the basics. We just needed to trust ourselves and our training and implement that into the next few sets."
What are you looking forward to most about your Sweet 16 matchup against Washington?
"I think we're just excited to be here and compete at such a high level. We obviously can't wait to get a rematch against (Pac-12 rival) Washington."
What are your favorite and least favorite parts about traveling across the country for the NCAA Tournament?
"I'd say the only con is that it takes a toll on your studies, especially so close to finals. But the pros are that we all get to travel together as a team, and really experience a great thing together."
Why do you think the team has excelled against ranked opponents?
"I think that we tend to play better against higher levels of competition. I'm not sure why, but I think that it will go in our favor from here on out."
What will you miss most about Arizona when your season finishes up?
"I'll definitely miss my teammates and my coaches. Just the environment of being around everyone everyday, it's like a family. So I'll miss that a lot."
Players Mentioned
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