Arizona volleyball defeats Colorado; Wildcats win four straight

Melisa Guzeloglu

November 21, 2024

The Arizona Volleyball players celebrates a big play against Tennessee State on Sep. 1. in McKale Center. Arizona is 3-0 on the year.

The University of Arizona volleyball team (17-9, 6-9 in Big 12) won its fourth consecutive match after taking down the University of Colorado, Boulder 3-0 (25-20, 25-21, 25-18) on Thursday, Nov. 12 in Colorado University Events Center.

Jaelyn Hodge led Arizona, completing the night with 14 kills and seven 7 digs. Jordan Wilson followed closely behind with 12 kills and 4 digs. Defensively, Journey Tucker put up six blocks and Hodge added on five herself.

Set 1

During the first set, the Wildcats built a 14-6 lead until the Buffaloes went on a 4-point scoring run to get within 4 points. Shortly after, Colorado served back-to-back aces, narrowing the score to 19-18. Arizona, however, maintained control as Carlie Cisneros put up an ace to reach set point, ultimately winning the set 25-20.

The Wildcats hit their highest hitting percentage in the match during the first set, .344. Hodge led the set with 6 kills and Wilson followed with 4 kills. Kiari Robey served three of the four blocks Arizona recorded in the first set, leading the Wildcats defensively.

Set 2

The Buffaloes went on a 4-point scoring run which included an ace, gaining a brief 9-8 lead in the beginning of the second set. Soon after, Arizona took control of the score as Cisneros served an ace of her own to put the Wildcats ahead 16-12. Arizona managed to hold the lead throughout the second set to win 25-21, taking a 2-0 match lead.

Colorado was dominated by Arizona as the Wildcats spiked 15 kills in the set compared to the Buffs’ 11. Wilson and Hodge tallied 5 kills apiece to lead Arizona and Cisneros added on 3 kills herself.

Set 3

In a back-and-forth set, Jordan Sydney put up an ace for Colorado to lead Arizona 8-4. Tucker recorded a block assist to get within the 12-11 score and force a Colorado timeout. This was the first and last time Colorado lead all match. As both teams came out of the timeout, the Wildcats gained control over the score, preventing Colorado from ever finding the lead again. Ana Heath served back-to-back aces for Arizona, further extending the lead to 20-15.

The Wildcats won the third and final set 25-18. Alayna Johnson led the set with 4 kills while Hodge and Wilson spiked 3 kills each. Defensively, Tucker tallied four blocks for Arizona, holding Colorado to its lowest hitting percentage in the match -0.036.