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Arizona volleyball to meet Washington in the NCAA sweet 16

Posted at 7:08 PM, Dec 06, 2016
and last updated 2016-12-06 21:08:25-05
It's a sweet silver anniversary for Arizona Volleyball head coach Dave Rubio, who has the Wildcats in the sweet sixteen in his 25th season in Tucson.
 
Arizona will take on the University of Washington, in Lincoln, Nebraska, on Friday. It comes after an upset win over Michigan State in the NCAA Tournament.
 
"The tournament has been a terrific run," said Rubio. "The message I've sent is to be able to play our best when it counts the most."
 
 "I think its something that Dave deserves," said senior setter Penina Snuka. "I've always looked to him for advice and for help and he's given a lot to me so I've wanted to help him get some wins and go far in the tournament."
 
 Arizona is led by seniors Sunka and Kalei Mau, as well as sophomore Kendra Dahlke.
     
The Wildcats will meet a Washington team they lost to, twice, during the regular season. Huskies junior outside hitter Courtney Schwan is the Pac-12 player of the year.
 
"She has a great off-speed game," said Snuka. "She'll set up hitters and take a swing, and out of nowhere, she'll hit a great shot. Being able to read her is difficult."
 
"Washington is so good when it comes to the end of matches," said Rubio. "If you're going to beat them, you have to beat them, because they're not going to beat themselves."