Arizona’s Devyn Cross, right, “can really get up and go quick,” says her coach, Dave Rubio. She was the UA’s most productive blocker last season as a freshman.
Rosenblatt said...
The details: Cross is an athletic, 6-foot middle blocker entering her sophomore season for Arizona volleyball. She was a high school teammate of fellow UA sophomore Elizabeth Shelton at Desert High School on Edwards Air Force Base in California. Like Shelton, Cross didn’t start playing volleyball until high school. Cross didn’t have any college scholarship offers well into her junior season when UA coach Dave Rubio attended one of her matches. Two weeks later, Cross was offered a scholarship and, even after some late interest from UCLA, she decided to sign with Arizona as part of its 2016 class. Cross called it a “natural fit.”
“I chose Arizona because of the welcoming atmosphere,” she said. “I like how close everyone seems and how they welcomed me from the first time I met the team and the coaches.”
The numbers: Cross was Arizona’s most productive blocker as a freshman, leading the team in blocks per set (0.88), block solos (18), block assists (86) and total blocks (114). She also managed 1.28 kills per set at a .275 hitting percentage, along with 35 digs.
The value: Arizona is expected to be deep at middle blocker next season — the Wildcats return 6-foot-7-inch senior McKenzie Jacobson and Jade Turner, the daughter of former Arizona basketball player Joe Turner — but Cross might be the most talented one of them all. If Cross, maybe Arizona’s most athletic player, can keep progressing as she gains experience, the Wildcats will be better for it.
Why Cross? Rubio compared Cross’ athleticism to former outside hitter Kim Glass, who holds a multitude of UA career and single-season records. Cross’ athletic ability allowed her to contribute right away as a freshman and, with her inexperience, she has a high ceiling.
“She’s just a terrific, outstanding athlete,” Rubio said. “She’s just still young in her development.”
Proof she’s good: Cross wasn’t initially on track to become Arizona’s leading blocker. Heading into the final three weeks of the season, she was averaging only 0.59 blocks per set. Then she got hot and averaged 1.25 blocks per set to close out the season. That mark, extrapolated over a full season, would’ve ranked seventh in the Pac-12. Cross tallied five or more blocks on 10 occasions and led the UA in blocks in 16 matches.
What Cross can accomplish: If Cross can play at the level, or better, she did in the final three weeks of the season, she becomes an outside candidate to be selected to the Pac-12’s 18-person All-Conference team. That will be a tall task, however, considering just one sophomore was selected to the team in 2016.
Coachspeak: “This spring we put her on the opposite, so she’s got a chance to play a couple different positions outside of the middle position. I think the middle is the best position for her because you can really exploit the opposing team because of how quick and athletic she is. We’ll see, but she’s just an elite, elite athlete. Really quick, fast, explosive. She’s someone who can really get up and go quick.” — Rubio
She said it: “Rubio taught me that you have to keep a good mindset. You win some, you lose some. Looking forward to the next game and moving on is really important.” — Cross during last season
How Cross performed: Cross contributed 143 points for the Wildcats in 2017, including a season-high (13) on the road against Utah. In that game against the Utes, she also had 8 kills. Reminder: she's just a sophomore. Cross is expected to be back to improve on her 2017 season.
