Arizona volleyball held its annual Red-Blue scrimmage on Saturday in McKale Center in front of a few hundred fans who took advantage of their first opportunity to see the 2017 Wildcats.
Team Red defeated Team Blue 4-0 (28-26, 26-24, 25-19, 25-23) in the four-set scrimmage.
Players switched teams between sets as head coach Dave Rubio used the intrasquad scrimmage to get looks at various lineups.
“I was impressed that we were able to function at the level that we did,” said head coach Dave Rubio. “I’ve said all along that we have some high-level talent and I think that was demonstrated today.
Kendra Dahlke led the way with 17 kills and 14 digs, while Tyler Spriggs added 15 kills and Paige Whipple notched 14. Devyn Cross posted a match-high seven blocks and Kimberly Gutierrez dug 22 balls to lead the way. Jade Turner recorded eight kills on 14 swings (.571).
Sophomore Julia Patterson is set to take over for four-year starter and All-American setter Penina Snuka this season. She had 52 assists and eight digs for the red team.
“I’m excited to get going,” said Patterson after the match. “I’m excited to get the team in my hands and see how we do this year.”
While Patterson set for the red team, Jaclyn Inclan (22 assists, 9 digs) and Mackenzie Hernandez (11 assists, 6 digs) shared honors for Team Blue in their debuts.
In addition to Inclan, Hernandez, Gutierrez and Whipple, Shardonee Hayes (6 kills, 5 blocks), Katie Smoot (7 kills), Candice Denny (9 kills, .333 hitting, 4 blocks) and Elizabeth Shelton (9 kills, 2 blocks) all enjoyed notable debuts as well.
The scrimmage signaled the end of fall camp as the Wildcats will now turn their attention to game-week preparation.After a two-week training camp, the Cats are now seven days away from the 2017 campaign. UA opens the season in Nashville, Tennessee in the LUV Invitational. Arizona takes on East Tennessee State (8 a.m. MST) and Lipscomb (5:30 p.m. MST) on Saturday and Middle Tennessee on Sunday (10 a.m. MST).
UA will then return home the following weekend for the home opener when it welcomes Eastern Kentucky, Grand Canyon and Radford for the Cactus Classic Sept. 1 and 2.
Follow the Cats: For more information on Arizona volleyball, head to ArizonaWildcats.com and be sure to follow the team on Twitter and Instagram.
Purchase Season Tickets: Don’t forget to purchase season tickets to support the Wildcats. Visit ArizonaWildcats.com/vb to review all ticket options and purchase online or call 520-621-CATS.
Press Release courtesy of Arizona Athletics.
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