Arizona volleyball marks fourth consecutive loss against Kansas State

Melisa Guzeloglu

November 8, 2024

Jordan Wilson, 5, talks to her teammates before set 4 begins on Oct. 2 in McKale Center. All University of Arizona players had over 13 kills.

The University of Arizona volleyball team (13-9, 2-9 in Big 12) fell 3-0 (28-26, 25-17, 25-18) against Kansas State University on Wednesday, Nov. 6 at 6 p.m. in McKale Center. The Wildcats are 1-4 in their last five matches with this game marking their fourth straight loss.

Arizona was led by Jordan Wilson who finished the game with 11 kills and 9 digs. Jaelyn Hodge closely followed her putting up 9 kills and 7 digs. Carlie Cisneros led the Wildcats defensively, tallying 12 digs and 8 kills for the night.

Set 1

The opening set was a tight match throughout, with 18 ties being recorded. Aliyah Carter served an ace to cap off a 3-point scoring run to put Kansas State up 6-5. The offensive pressure from Kansas State continued as Molly Ramsey served an ace to tie the first set 13-13.

Both programs went point for point in the latter end of the first set. Ultimately, Kansas State won 28-26 to lead the match 1-0.

Wilson led the set, spiking 6 kills and Cisneros followed with 4 kills on a .333 hitting percentage. Defensively, Kiari Robey led the set with two blocks but it wasn’t enough for Arizona.

Set 2

Kansas State served an ace in the beginning of the second set and soon after went on a 4-point scoring run to gain a 13-7 lead. Arizona responded back, going on a 5-point scoring run itself to force a Kansas State timeout.

Back-to-back aces from Carter allowed Kansas State to extend the lead 23-15. Arizona inched closer, trying to trim the lead but Kansas State hit .326, its highest in the matchup, to pull ahead and win 25-17. Hodge tallied 5 kills to lead the set and Wilson came after, spiking 3 kills.

Set 3

Arizona initiated a 3-0 scoring run to take a 8-5 lead in the final set. This was the only time the Wildcats led during the set.

Kansas State answered with a 6-point scoring run of its own to push ahead 12-8. Arizona came back within 1 point, when Hodge put up a block, tying the game 13-13. The Wildcats tallied 8 total kills in the last set but were no match for Kansas State’s 17 kills.

Kansas State closed the set on a 4-point scoring run to go on to win 25-18 and seize a 3-0 victory against Arizona.

“Rita [head coach Charita Stubbs] let us go because she didn’t want to speak out of emotion, which we totally respect […]. We will bounce back from this and it’s just fine tuning those little things. We were close every single set, same last week we are right there. It’s finishing these games and we just need to keep talking to one another,” said Cisneros.