Fall sports preview: What to look forward to

Amit Syal

May 17, 2018

Head coach, Kevin Sumlin at the Arizona Football spring game on Saturday, April 14 in the Arizona Stadium.

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The University of Arizona is wrapping up its spring sports season with the conclusion of track and field, baseball and softball later this month. Come August, Arizona will commence its fall season with football, volleyball, soccer, and cross country.

Football

Under the new leadership of head coach Kevin Sumlin, Arizona football is looking to make anw effective run this season.

The home opener for Arizona football is scheduled for Sept. 1, 2018 against Brigham Young University. Coming off a 7-6 record, UA aims to improve its record and regain control of the state after dropping the Territorial Cup game 42-30 this past season against ASU.

Other home matches for Arizona include games against Southern Utah (9/15), Southern California (9/29), California (10/6), Oregon (10/27), Colorado (11/2), and the Territorial Cup against Arizona State on Nov. 24.

Head coach, Kevin Sumlin at the Arizona Football spring game on Saturday, April 14 in the Arizona Stadium.

Volleyball

Arizona volleyball is coming off a disappointing 11-18 record this past season, including a 5-15 record against Pac-12 teams.

The ‘Cats have yet to release their fall 2018 schedule, but under the leadership of soon-to-be senior Kendra Dahlke, they are looking to make a run for the Pac-12 championships this year.

Arizona outside hitter Kendra Dahlke (8) hits the ball over Colorado players on Oct. 15, 2017 in McKale Center.

Soccer

Arizona soccer is coming off an 11-5-4 record with big wins against Oregon, California and ASU this past season.

Last year, the team ended its season after a 2-0 loss to Florida State in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Arizona soccer expects to have a strong recruiting class coming in to help build upon the current roster. Under the leadership of soon-to-be upperclassmen Morgan McGarry and Lainey Burdett, who were named to the All-Pac-12 Second Team, Arizona soccer is looking to go far in the NCAA Tournament this fall.

Arizona goalkeeper Lainey Burdett (1) flies to punch the ball away after a shot by ASU at Sun Devil Soccer Stadium in Tempe on Friday, Nov. 4, 2016. The Wildcats shut out the Sun Devils 1-0 for their first Territorial Cup win in soccer since 2013.

Cross Country

Arizona men’s and women’s cross country both had one first-place performance and one second-place performance this past season in the Dave Murray Invitational and ASU Cross Country Invitational, respectively.

Come fall, both teams are looking to have better performances, especially in the NCAA Regionals. The teams are yet to release their 2018 schedule, but they are looking to make improvements in order to compete in the NCAA Championships come this November.