Arizona came out strong as they were able to win the first set 25-23, but that would be the highlight of the night. As they would go on to lose the next three sets; 25-18, 25-22 and 25-20. This was the Wildcat’s fifth straight loss dropping them to 11-8 on the season.
Set 1 (25-23)
The beginning of the first set was all USC, as they came out on fire and held an early 9-3 lead. Once Arizona was able to cut the deficit to three, their offense started to click and they went on to score seven straight points to get a 14-12 lead. This scoring run came as a result of three attackers for Arizona; Merle Weidt, Sofia Maldonado Diaz and Puk Stubbe each recording a kill to go along with some attacking errors from the Trojans. But the Trojans would not go away as they battled back to take a 23-22 lead, Arizona would be able to withstand the USC comeback as they finished the set on a 3-0 scoring run to take the first set 25-23. Jaelyn Hodge and Stubbe were the offensive standouts for the Wildcats as Hodge and Stubbe combined for 11 kills in the first set.
Set 2 (18-25)
Arizona looked to have continued their momentum from the end of the first set as they got out to a quick 4-0 lead. But after that great start, the self-inflicted issues once again showed up, early in the set USC was able to come back and tie the set after a 5-0 scoring run. Three of the five points that were scored came due to an attack error committed by the Wildcats. Those mental mistakes allowed USC to get back in the game and eventually take control as they would finish the set on a 7-0 scoring run to take the set and tie the match at 1-1.
Set 3 (22-25)
Once again the Wildcats were able to get an early lead in the set, but they did not hold it for long. Once again Arizona allowed USC to go on another 5-0 scoring run to retake the lead. This set was unlike the last as it was back and forth for the majority of the set. There were three lead changes and five ties throughout the set, but in the end, USC was able to win the set with four straight points to win and take a 2-1 lead.
Set 4 (20-25)
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The fourth and final set was another close one as the lead changed hands four times and at one point USC’s largest lead was four points. But the unforced errors once again showed up as Arizona committed seven attack errors in this final set which allowed USC to pull away with the match 3-1. Arizona’s offensive standout was Stubbe as she finished with seven kills in the final set.
There were some bright spots for the Wildcats as Stubbe finished with 15 kills to lead all players and Maldonado Diaz led all players with three service aces. The Wildcats will be back in action at Colorado this Friday, October 22.
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