The Arizona volleyball team was unable to bring home a win this past weekend after taking on the Bay Area schools. The Wildcats hope to change their game plan for the next four matches at McKale Center as they take on No. 13 UCLA, No. 15 USC, Utah and Colorado.
Arizona will set up for UCLA on Wednesday, Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. followed by USC on Friday, Oct. 6 at 6 p.m. The ‘Cats have suffered three consecutive losses so far in the conference after falling to Washington State, No. 2 Stanford and Cal leaving them to a 1-3 conference record. While in the Bay Area, the Wildcats were swept by Stanford in three quick sets followed by another loss to Cal in a five-set match.
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Last year, the Wildcats traveled to the L.A. schools and swept both USC and UCLA, which ended up being Arizona’s first time in program history that Arizona went 4-0 against the two schools. In the past Arizona has defeated both teams at home, in five sets, but with the road the ‘Cats are on, they need to come out with powerful defense.
UCLA currently holds a 2-2 record in the conference. Last week, the Bruins fell to No. 7 Washington, but was able to turn around and defeat Washington State. Arizona defense will need to be on the lookout for Bruins outside hitter Reily Buechler who currently leads the team in kills with 152 kills.
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Arizona’s outside hitter Kendra Dahlke continues to lead the team with 123 kills and will need to come out powerful to help the ‘Cats get a win. UA sophomore setter Julia Patterson will be another key player during the matches as she had a career-high of 58 assists in a single set against Cal.
USC will be the Wildcats toughest match this weekend as the Bruins remain undefeated, 4-0 in conference play. The Trojans have a power weapon on their team, sophomore outside hitter Khalia Lanier who has posted 242 kills so far this season. This will be a challenge for Arizona sophomore middle blocker Devyn Cross who has posted 45 blocks.
A home court advantage may be what the Wildcats need due to the lack of consistency and victories so far this season. Arizona will wrap up their four-match home stand against No.17 Utah on Friday, Oct. 13 and No. 25 Colorado on Sunday Oct. 15.
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