Arizona was playing some of its best volleyball of the season heading into last weekend, coming off of a four-game winning streak.
Not anymore.
The No. 20 Wildcats (18-9, 7-7 Pac-10) managed to win only one set over the weekend, as they were beaten down by both No. 6 Southern California and No. 10 UCLA in Los Angeles.
“”USC match was a debacle for us. We just didn’t play well,”” said Arizona head coach Dave Rubio. “”Those guys really were on and we couldn’t get anything going. They were physical and we didn’t match up. It was just a bad night overall for us.””
Arizona hit at only a .010 clip against the Trojans (22-4, 11-4), who countered by hitting at a .365 clip – including 15 blocks compared to Arizona’s one.
“”We couldn’t do anything right,”” Rubio said of Arizona’s second time being swept this season. “”It’s one of those matches that you never want to be in, but if you coach long enough it’s going to happen, unfortunately.””
Arizona only managed to keep one set within 10 points — the third set, in which the Wildcats lost 25-21.
Outside hitter Whitney Dosty was the only bright spot for the Wildcats against USC. She racked up 16 kills, but only hit at a .195 percentage.
Against UCLA (19-7, 9-6), Arizona showed signs of competitiveness, but it still wasn’t enough, as the Bruins dropped Arizona in four sets.
“”The UCLA match went better, but not much,”” Rubio said. “”USC and UCLA are two very different teams. UCLA, they really pass well, serve well and defend well. We matched that in set two, but we couldn’t sustain it.””
Other than the second set, which Arizona won 25-21, the Wildcats were outscored 75-50 in the match even though Arizona had a blocking advantage.
“”Blocking was just one part of the game,”” Rubio said. “”We weren’t in rhythm at all offensively. We couldn’t sustain any kind of offense throughout the game except game two, but that was because we served better and they didn’t pass well.””
Rubio thinks that UCLA’s ability to serve and pass gives them an advantage over anyone they might face this season.
“”They’re the best serving and passing team in the conference,”” he said, “”and that’s why they can compete with anybody.””
The Wildcats continue the season next weekend, when they host Washington and Washington State in the final home stand of the year.
