Arizona has passed the first test of the season, nonconference play. After 11 games, they have found a confidence and chemistry that works for them. So far, results have shown that they cannot be stopped.
The trend for this year’s team is the stellar play from some of their freshmen. Outside hitter Carlie Cisneros has shown that she can do almost everything that is asked of her.
She leads the team in digs with 132 as well as leading in serving aces with 19. Cisneros also is third on the team for kills with 98.
Freshman setter Avery Scoggins has also stepped into a usually difficult position and has only blossomed. Leading the team in assists with 334 helped her earn the Big 12 rookie of the week award.
However, with the beginning of their conference schedule this week, competition is going to increase. Head coach Charita Stubbs looks at this road trip as an opportunity for her team to grow.
“I see two teams that are going to be competitive,” Stubbs said. “Two teams that are used to winning, even though they’ve lost a little bit throughout the year. I think that they are confident. I think that it is a good opener for us to go in and see what a different level looks like.”
Before Big 12 play officially starts, here is a quick preview of Arizona’s opponents this week, as well as a quick look into the rest of the conference schedule.
Baylor Bears
Baylor has a record of 8-3, and is ranked at No. 19. All three losses came to other top 25 teams; Wisconsin, SMU, and Texas. Their biggest win this year came against No. 16 Minnesota, where the Bears won in five sets.
One of the players to look out for will be senior outside hitter Elise McGhee, as she leads the team with 127 kills. She also leads the team with 20 serving aces. Senior libero Lauren Briseño leads her team in digs with 164.
With 60 overall team serving aces, Stubbs realizes that being able to have good serve receive will help the team be successful.
“Baylor is a very good serving team,” Stubbs said. “We’re expecting to be challenged right off the bat, and be minimized a little bit depending on how we handle the situation.”
TCU Horned Frogs
TCU has a record of 8-2, and is ranked at No. 22. Just like Baylor, they have a key win against Minnesota. Their losses came to second-ranked Nebraska and seventh-ranked Wisconsin. The Horned Frogs are also undefeated at home this season.
Senior outside hitter Melanie Parra leads the team with 202 kills and also leads in serving aces with 17. Senior libero Cecily Bramschreiber leads the Horned Frogs in digs with 116.
Stubbs recognizes the challenge that Parra will give her team, and knows that she is going to get her kills.
“She brings a true outside hitter mentality,” she said. “I think that she’s athletic and she understands the game, I think she learned a lot when she was at Texas, I think she is by far the go to hitter on that team.”
Other Big 12 Opponents
The remaining home games for Arizona include games against BYU, Utah, Colorado, Houston, Arizona State, Kansas State, Kansas, Iowa State, and UCF.
After this week, Arizona’s remaining road trips include going to Arizona State, Utah, BYU, Cincinnati, West Virginia, Colorado, and Texas Tech
After facing No. 19 Baylor No. 22 TCU, the Wildcats face three more top 25 teams. Those teams are No. 9 Kansas, No. 14 Arizona State, and No. 17 BYU.
Lead photo courtesy of Arizona Athletics
