TUCSON, Ariz. (Aug. 15, 2000) -- Expectations are high for the 2000 Arizona volleyball team. The Wildcats learned just how high on August 14 as they found themselves ranked 10th overall in the USA Today/AVAC preseason poll and predicted to finish fourth in the power packed Pac-10 by the conference coaches. Pac-10 foe UCLA was tabbed as the team to beat in both the conference and overall. The Bruins received 1399 total points, including 23 of the 60 first place votes, in the USA Today poll and 90 points in the Pac-10 coaches predictions. In total, four Pac-10 teams are ranked in the top 10 with top-ranked UCLA, third-ranked Stanford, seventh-ranked USC and tenth-ranked Arizona.
"The Pac-10 is a very competitive conference, arguably the best in the nation," head coach David Rubio said. "With this being the first time an Arizona team has entered the season with a top 10 ranking we are very excited about the opportunity to improve and move up in the polls and conference standings."
With 906 points, the No. 10 ranking is the highest preseason mark for any UA volleyball team in school history. The 1989 squad held the previous best, entering the season ranked 11th. The fourth place conference prediction matches the 1999 preseason coaches poll and Arizona's finish in the conference standings.
Since Rubio's arrival in 1992, the Wildcats have gone 144-87 (77-67 Pac-10). Six of his eight teams have played in the NCAA tournament, three of which have advanced to the Sweet 16. The 2000 version of Arizona volleyball appears to be one the finest ever. The Wildcats return five of six starters in 2000, including All-District 8 and All-Pac-10 performers Marisa DaLee and Dana Burkholder and Freshman All-Pac-10 honoree Lisa Rutledge.
The Cats will be tested early as they travel to San Diego, Calif., for an opening match against 14th-ranked UC Santa Barbara on Sept. 1. In total, the Wildcats will face nine of the preseason top 25 during the 2000 season.
USA Today/AVCA Preseason Top 25
Rank School Points 1999 1999
Record Final Ranking
1 UCLA (23) ** 1399 28-4 7
2 Penn State (10) 1317 36-1 1
3 Stanford (9) ** 1309 31-3 2
4 Long Beach State (13) 1304 31-4 4
5 Hawai'i (2) 1224 29-2 8
6 Nebraska (1) 1055 27-6 11
7 USC (1) ** 1019 21-9 17
8 Pepperdine 1013 26-4 10
9 Florida ** 946 33-3 5
10 Arizona 906 21-11 14
11 Minnesota 892 27-9 16
12 Pacific (1) ** 878 32-3 3
13 Colorado State ** 857 30-3 12
14 UC Santa Barbara ** 749 29-6 6
15 BYU ** 722 28-5 13
16 Wisconsin 516 22-10 23
17 Kansas State 462 21-9 19
18 Texas 433 22-8 18
19 Texas A&M 432 28-6 9
20 Michigan State 334 21-13 NR
21 Baylor ** 254 26-9 20
22 Northern Iowa 208 30-1 15
23 Loyola Marymount 165 20-11 NR
24 Michigan 164 16-15 NR
25 Ohio State 150 17-12 NR
** Denotes 2000 UA Opponent
2000 Pac-10 Coaches Poll
Rank School Points
1. UCLA 90
2. Stanford 78
3. USC 74
4. Arizona 70
5. Arizona State 56
6. California 42
7. Wash. St. 39
8. Oregon State 38
9. Washington 35
10. Oregon 18
