It was not how Rita Stubbs or her players wanted to start her first season as the head coach of her alma mater. Arizona volleyball struggled in the serve receive and passing game on its way to losses against UC Davis in four sets (25-21, 17-25, 25-19, 25-18) and North Carolina in five (25-18, 25-21, 24-26, 18-25, 16-14) on the opening day of the season.
Serve receive difficulties plagued Arizona through both matches. They gave up 10 aces to the Aggies in the early game and followed it up by getting aced by the Tar Heels 13 times in the nightcap.