Arizona volleyball will open its season with its annual Red-Blue Scrimmage on Saturday at 2 p.m. in the McKale Center. Admission is free.
Head coach Dave Rubio is entering his 21st season at the helm of the program and led the team to a 19-13 overall record in 2011, including a trip to the NCAA Tournament for the third consecutive season. The Wildcats were picked seventh in the Pac-12 preseason coaches poll.
Sophomore Madi Kingdon and junior Candace Nicholson lead a young team featuring 10 newcomers, including seven freshmen. Kingdon was named to the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team after leading the team in kills per set (3.44), while Nicholson led the team with 406 digs. Sophomore Rachel Rhoades is the only other returning starter. She finished second on the team with 74 blocks in 2011.
The Wildcats also return the sophomore trio of Taylor Arizobal, Ronni Lewis and Shaquillah Torres. Among the newcomers are transfers Chanel Brown from the University of Florida, Alyse Hensley (Loyola Marymount) and Emily Kiser (Sacramento State). Brown was a member of the SEC All-Freshman Team in 2010.
Arizona's regular season will get underway at home with the Wildcat Classic on Aug. 24-25. Arizona will open the tournament against Evansville and Cal State Northridge on Aug. 24 before closing out the event against Utah Valley on Aug. 25.
