The University of Arizona volleyball team (9-0) continued on the road this weekend to Las Cruces, New Mexico to compete in the New Mexico State Tournament on Friday, Sept. 13 and Saturday, Sept. 14, in the Pan American Center. The Wildcats were able to sweep the tournament as they return home still undefeated.
Arizona took down Abilene Christian University (3-0), Texas Southern University (3-0) and New Mexico State University (3-1).
Game 1: Friday, Sept. 13, at 9 a.m.
Abilene Christian University; 3-0 (25-13, 25-23, 25-9)
Arizona opened up the first match of the tournament against Abilene Christian on Friday, Sept. 13. The Wildcats won the first set, totaling 11 kills and finishing 25-13 before Abilene Christian tried to come back in the second set but ultimately fell short 25-13.
Abilene Christian scored no aces compared to the 4 aces Arizona had. The Wildcats were led by Jordan Wilson as she finished with 13 total kills and 8 digs. Freshman Carlie Cisneros followed with 6 kills and led the team with 10 digs. Arizona would go on to win the last set in the match 25-9. Avery Scoggins finished and led with 27 of the 30 assists Arizona had.
Game 2: Friday, Sept. 13 at 3 p.m.
Texas Southern University; 3-0 (25-16, 25-16, 25-7)
The Wildcats also faced Texas Southern on Friday, as Arizona won the match 3-0 and were once again led by Wilson with 13 kills and 10 digs. The Wildcats served 3 aces in the first set to win 25-16. During the second set, Arizona utilized its offense to create and hold onto its lead, finishing with a .233 hitting percentage compared to the Tigers -.071.
Cisneros finished with a career-high four aces as freshmen An den Hamer was able to score her first career kill in the match.
Arizona ultimately defeated Texas Southern in the last set 25-7 to win the match. The Wildcats finished with 48 total kills in the match while the Tigers were held to only 14.
Game 3: Saturday, Sept. 14 at 1 p.m.
New Mexico State University; 3-1 (25-22, 23-25, 25-20, 25-22)
The Wildcats’ last match took place on Saturday, Sept. 14, as Jaelyn Hodge led the offense and recorded a season-high 20 kills. Following Hodge, Kiari Robey totaled 15 kills while Wilson had 10. The Wildcats finished with a total of 59 kills in the game.
Defensively, Alayna Johnson led with 3 blocks as the first set consisted of Arizona making a run for the Wildcats to go on to win 25-22. Robey was able to score the last kill to finish and lead with 6 in the set.
The Wildcats were not able to hold off New Mexico State as they trailed late in the second set, losing 25-23. New Mexico State finished the set with a .306 hitting percentage, holding Arizona to a .162 percentage.
During the third set, Arizona came back and was led by Hodge and Robey to combine for 10 kills to push Arizona to win 25-20.
The Wildcats were able to pull away and win in the fourth set, winning 25-22 after a kill by Hodge in order to sweep the tournament.
Looking ahead:
Arizona will be returning home as they get ready to host the Wildcat Classic that will begin on Thursday, Sept. 19, to continue through Saturday, Sept. 21. The Wildcats will take on North Dakota State University on Sept. 19, at 6 p.m. and Southern Utah University on Sept. 21 at noon.
Follow the Daily Wildcat on Instagram and Twitter/X
