Arizona volleyball falls to University of Utah

Melisa Guzeloglu

October 5, 2024

Jordan Wilson, 5, goes for the ball in the first set of the game against Brigham Young University on Oct. 2 in McKale Center. Arizona took the lead of the game, winning the first set.

The University of Arizona volleyball team (12-3, 1-3 in Big 12) lost to the University of Utah on Friday, Oct. 4 in McKale Center, falling 3-0 (25-13, 25-23, 27-25).

Despite the loss, Jaelyn Hodge led the Wildcats with 18 kills, finishing with a .400 hitting percentage. Carlie Cisneros followed Hodge, marking 7 kills and eight digs for the night.

Game recap

Utah claimed the first set, winning 25-13 and finishing with a .500 hitting percentage. Arizona’s Kiari Robey and Hodge each put up an ace during the set. Utah pulled away in the end of the set, winning 25-13 after serving 5 aces, four of which came from Utah’s Grace Hammond.

Arizona’s scoring issues persisted but the Wildcats were defensively able to hold Utah to a .222 hitting percentage in the second set, Utah’s lowest of the match. Utah continued to provide aces however, giving them a lead advantage of 17-12 in the second set after a 6-point scoring run. Despite Arizona’s efforts to come back, the Utes took a 2-0 lead in the matchup after winning the second set 25-23. Hodge led the Wildcats with 7 kills in the set.

Utah did not slow down on scoring, opening the third set with a 7-3 lead. Arizona tried to hang on, gradually gaining on the lead as Haven Wray served an ace that tied the score 20-20. Hodge led the Wildcats with 9 kills in the final set. However, it would not be enough; the Utes pulled away on a 3-point scoring run to close the third and final set 27-25.

After the game, Hodge noted areas for improvement for the team.

“Getting back in the gym, working on our serve receives and serving. They run a really fast offense so I think blocking their offense. [We] just need serve receive and blocking days,” Hodge said.