The Arizona volleyball team is heading into a highly competitive weekend against No. 5 Stanford and No. 2 California without its starting outside hitter, freshman Madison Kingdon.
Kingdon sprained her ankle last Friday against Colorado after coming down on teammate Courtney Karst’s foot.
“I was covering, and Chloe (Mathis) set the pipe, and it was too tight,” Karst said. “I was looking at the block and didn’t even see Madi behind me, and she just landed on my foot. It was bad. I know it was bad.”
Head coach Dave Rubio is confident she won’t be playing this week for the 13-6 (5-5 Pac-12) Wildcats.
“I think it’s very unlikely she’ll play this week,” Rubio said. “The good news is, is that it wasn’t a high ankle sprain. If it were, it would take much longer to recover. And as soon as she’s ready, she’s going to play.”
Senior Marketa Hanzlova will fill in for Kingdon like she did on Saturday against Utah.
“Marketa is savvy, and she brings as good as back row play as Madi did,” Rubio said. “She’s just not going to elevate and score maybe as often, but she could. She played really well against Utah. Most teams don’t have another kid who can fit that piece, because it requires such a sophisticated skill set to be able to play Madi’s position.”
Rubio nearing career milestone
After Arizona’s two wins last weekend against Colorado and Utah, Rubio currently sits at 495 career wins.
“I didn’t know that,” Rubio said with a smile. “Like most coaches, you don’t really think about that stuff until after your career is finished.”
Rubio said it wouldn’t have been possible without Arizona and Tucson.
“It’s been a good run here,” Rubio said. “For 20 years I’ve been very fortunate to be here that long, and to be at a university that really provides the coaches and the athletes with the opportunity to be successful. Also, to live in a great community like Tucson, I’ve been very lucky.”
Wildcats points away from being ranked
As of Monday, the Wildcats are points away from being ranked by the American Volleyball Coaches Association. Arizona is next in line in the waiting to pool to make the coveted top-25 list.
Arizona, who is a spot out of the top-25, has 65 points. No. 25 Miami has 86.
In the RPI ranking system for NCAA Division 1 volleyball, the Wildcats are ranked No. 35.
