The University of Arizona volleyball team (15-9, 4-9 in Big 12) secured a 3-1 (25-15, 19-25, 25-22, 25-20) victory over the University of Cincinnati on Thursday, Nov. 14 at 4 p.m. in Fifth Third Arena. The Wildcats marked their second consecutive win leading into their last five regular season games.
Carlie Cisneros led the Wildcats with 13 kills and 19 digs to overcome the Bearcats. Kiari Robey and Jaelyn Hodge followed close behind, tallying 11 and 10 kills respectively. Robey played a significant part defensively for Arizona, putting up a season high nine blocks. Haven Wray also contributed defensively, leading second with 17 digs.
Set 1
The Wildcats wasted no time going on a 4-point scoring run early in the first set. Soon after finding a 7-2 lead, Sydney Nolan spiked a kill to get Cincinnati within 3-points of the lead. Arizona used multiple runs to gain control back in the set. The Bearcats couldn’t find a way to shorten the 20-12 lead Arizona built and fell 25-15.
Arizona hit its highest hitting percentage of the night, .353 to take a 1-0 match lead. Jordan Wilson led the set with 5 kills. Hodge and Robey contributed defensively with three blocks apiece, forcing Cincinnati to hit .000 percent in the first set.
Set 2
The Bearcats used multiple runs in the second set to build a 19-10 lead. Despite the Wildcats cutting the score to 19-23, it wasn’t enough to overcome Cincinnati. Arizona was held to its lowest hitting percentage of the match, .114 to fall 25-19 in set two. Wilson tallied 4 kills to lead Arizona while Hodge and Cisneros followed with 3 kills each.
Set 3
The Bearcats fought for control over the score in the third set, leading most of the way. Robey served an ace, finding a 13-12 lead over Cincinnati. Soon after, Avery Scoggins served back-to-back aces, solidifying Arizona’s control over the score 20-17. Alayna Johnson spiked 5 kills, hitting .833 percent to lead Arizona. Sydnie Vanek and Robey added 3 kills apiece.
The Wildcats tallied 4 aces to overcome the Bearcats .379 hitting percentage, winning the third set 25-22 to take a 2-1 match lead.
Set 4
Arizona outscored the Bearcats, hitting 18 kills compared to Cincinnati’s 12 in set four. After trading kills back-and-forth, the Wildcats went on a 4-point scoring run to gain a 13-9 lead. Arizona recorded five blocks in the fourth set, including a block from Robey, to prevent the Bearcats from closing the 20-13 gap. Ultimately, Arizona won 25-20 in the fourth and final set, winning 3-1 in the match.
Cisneros led the Wildcats with 6 kills on a .500 hitting percentage. Robey followed with 4 kills and led defensively with four blocks in the set.
Looking ahead
The Wildcats will remain on the road as they head to Morgantown, West Virginia to take on West Virginia University on Sunday, Nov. 17 at 10 a.m. in WVU Coliseum. Arizona looks to secure its third consecutive win against the Mountaineers.
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