It was a much needed win for Arizona volleyball as they swept the University of California, 3-0, in their second match against the Golden Bears, (25-16, 25-15, 25-13).
To start off the match Arizona went on a 6-0 run midway through set helping the, eventually get to a 10-point lead on the Golden Bears. The Wildcats took the set 25-16 and never looked back.
Arizona continued the momentum going into set two as they went on another 6-0 run early. The ‘Cats saw the were up early in the set, 11-4, and never lost the lead growing it to as much as 11 points.
The Wildcats came out ready to play at McKale Center as they took the win in set three, 25-13, to complete the sweep of Cal. The Wildcats 6-0 runs were the story of the match as they had yet another in set three. The Wildcats have been on a losing streak and needed to bounce back with their at-home advantage.
“It was a good game, you never know when you’re gonna win, in this conference,” Arizona head coach Dave Rubio said. “We’ve had our fair share of losing, so it’s certainly nice to come out on top.”
For the Wildcats, freshman outside hitter/opposite Katie Smoot got her first career start, and finished the match with eight kills and four blocks. Being her first career start on the court, Smoot felt that there was a little added pressure.
“I felt a little bit more pressure because I felt I had to meet the standards that Dave has for me,” Smoot said.
Freshman outside hitter Paige Whipple and middle blocker Candace Denny each had seven kills on 12 total attempts for Arizona.
For Cal, redshirt junior outside hitter Ashten Smith-Gooden finished the match nine kills.
It was a feel good win for Arizona, but Rubio knows there are still more challenges ahead, including No. 2 Stanford on Sunday, Oct. 29, a match that he says will give the team a good barometer of where they are at.
“Or maybe it won’t give us a good barometer, who knows,” Rubio joked.
The ‘Cats, who now sit at a record of 3-8 in Pac-12 play and welcome No. 2 Stanford to McKale Center on Sunday, Oct. 29 at 1 p.m.
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