The University of Arizona volleyball team went 3-0 in the Cactus Classic tournament over the weekend. They faced three teams: Boise State University, Virginia Commonwealth University and Tennessee State University. While that was going on, the UA football team won their first game against New Mexico on Saturday night, 61-39, with Tetairoa McMillan leading the team and breaking records.
Team of the week: Volleyball
The Wildcats showed out in the Cactus Classic winning all three matches this past weekend. The team first faced Boise State on Friday, Aug. 30, winning in four sets. Arizona won the first two sets (25-13, 25-23) and fell in the third with Boise winning 26-24. Arizona answered that loss with a solid win in the fourth, 25-20. Outside hitter Jordan Wilson played a crucial role in the match with a total of 19 kills. Arizona had a hitting percentage of .307 compared to Boise’s .169.
The Wildcats continued their winning streak against VCU on Saturday with a 3-1 victory. Despite losing the first set, the Wildcats dominated the next three sets, winning 25-12, 25-13 and 25-18. Fifth-year senior Jaelyn Hodge led the team in offense with 14 kills and a hitting percentage of .314. VCU held Arizona to a .098 hitting percentage in the first set (which the Wildcats were unable to win.) Arizona began a comeback in the second set, where the Wildcats outperformed VCU in both hitting efficiency and serving. This momentum carried over into the last two sets, as the Wildcats demonstrated impressive offensive and defensive prowess.
In the tournament’s final game, the Wildcats went 3-0 against TSU. The Wildcats’ offense, led by Wilson’s 14 kills, hit an impressive .333. Carlie Cisneros and Hodge also contributed significantly with 13 kills each. The Wildcats attacked the first set, 25-22, and continued to dominate in the following two sets, 25-19 and 25-14. Cisneros, Hodge and Kiari Robey were all recognized for their outstanding performances by being named in this year’s Cactus Classic All-American Team.
Player of the week: Tetairoa McMillan
McMillan, one of Arizona’s wide receiver, was named the Walter Camp and AP National Player of the Week after a stellar performance against New Mexico on Saturday night. McMillan broke the school record with 304 receiving yards and tied the school record with four touchdown catches.
McMillan, originally from Waimanalo, Hawaii, had an impressive 30.4-yard average on 10 catches, shattering the Arizona single-game receiving record that was originally 283 yards set by Jeremy McDaniel. McMillan’s longest reception from the game was a 78-yard touchdown which added to his impressive 304 yards.
McMillan is the first player in football bowl subdivision history to have 10-plus receptions, 300-plus receiving yards, 30.0-plus yards per reception and 4-plus receiving touchdowns within a game.
McMillan will be a key player for Arizona’s offense for the rest of the season, including this Saturday when the Wildcats host Northern Arizona University at 7 p.m. MST.
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