Arizona volleyball drops their opening two conference games against ASU and No. 7 WSU

The Wildcats fell to 5-8 on the season

September 26, 2023

Giorgia Mandotti, Jaelyn Hodge and Jordan Wilson wait for the opposing team to serve in their game against Alabama State University on Saturday, Sept. 16. This game was part of the Wildcat Classic and Arizona won the game 3-0.

The Arizona volleyball team had a rough start to their Pac-12 play, losing both initial games. The Wildcats (5-8, 0-2 in Pac-12) faced a 3-0 defeat against ASU on Thursday, Sept. 21, in Tempe before suffering a tough 3-2 loss at home against Washington State University on Sunday, Sept. 24.

Thursday, Sept. 21: ASU

Set results: 25-22, 25-21, 25-15

The Wildcats struggled right from the beginning of the first set, with ASU taking an early lead. Despite their best efforts, the Wildcats could not turn the tide and ended up losing the set with a score of 25-22.

ASU managed to snatch the second set from the Wildcats despite Arizona leading for most of the set. The Wildcats were in the lead until late in the set when ASU used a 7-1 run to take the lead and eventually win the set 25-21, giving the Sun Devils a 2-0 lead in the match.

Arizona struggled in the third set against ASU, falling behind early and ultimately losing 25-15. The Sun Devils completed the sweep by cruising past the Wildcats, who could not close the set.

The Wildcats were led by Jaelyn Hodge, Jordan Wilson and Sofia Maldonado Diaz, who combined for 35 of the Wildcats’ 39 kills.

Sunday, Sept. 25: Washington State

Set results: 25-23, 25-27, 25-22, 18-25, 6-15

After falling behind early in the opening set, the Wildcats took control midway through the set, following an 11-3 run to take a 22-18 lead. The Cougars attempted a late rally, but they ultimately fell short as the Wildcats took the first set 25-23.

Washington State jumped out early in the second set and looked like they would cruise to the victory leading 19-14 late. However, the Wildcats would counter with a 9-3 run to take a 23-22 lead. The Cougars then only allowed two more points, grabbing the second set 27-25 to avoid a 2-0 deficit.

After failing to close out the second set, the Wildcats took a massive lead early in the third set, leading 10-3. Arizona kept their foot on the pedal in the set and never allowed the Cougars to lead as they cruised to a 25-22 victory, taking a 2-1 lead in the match.

In the fourth set, Washington State outplayed the Wildcats from start to finish. The Cougars went on several runs and never let the lead dwindle as they wound up defeating the Wildcats 25-18, evening the match at 2-2 and sending the match into a game-deciding fifth set.

In the fifth and final set, the Wildcats were unable to keep up with Washington State, who won the set 15-6 and ultimately the match 3-2.

The Wildcats were once again led by their big three of Hodge, Wilson and Maldonado Diaz, who combined for 52 of the Wildcats’ 64 kills. However, the Wildcats were unable to close a tightly-contested match against a ranked foe, dropping their second straight game.

Next up:

Arizona will travel to California’s San Francisco Bay Area to face the University of California Berkeley on Friday, Sept. 29, at 7 p.m., followed by Stanford University on Sunday, Oct. 1, at 1 p.m.