The University of Arizona volleyball team (21-9, 9-9 in Big 12) claimed a 3-0 (26-24, 25-19, 25-17) victory against the University of the Pacific in the Super 16 National Invitational Volleyball Championship on Saturday, Dec. 7 in McKale Center. This allows Arizona to move on to the Great 8 round of the NIVC on Dec. 11 as the Wildcats also mark their eighth straight victory.
Jordan Wilson led Arizona offensively, putting up 11 kills and 7 digs. Jaelyn Hodge led second tallying 8 kills, 10 digs. Hodge’s standout defense included four blocks to help Arizona secure the victory. Additionally, Carlie Cisneros also contributed 6 kills and 10 digs.
Set 1
The Tigers’ 5-point scoring run to open the first set was answered with a 4-point run by Arizona. Darina Kumanova extended Pacific’s lead to 13-9 with the Tigers’ third ace to force a timeout. Soon after, Hodge gained a block assist to tie the match 16-16. In a tight closing of the first set, the Wildcats secured the last 2 points to win 26-24. Wilson led the offense with 3 kills and Hodge tallied three blocks, helping hold the Tigers to a .050 hitting percentage.
Set 2
Arizona found an early 6-4 lead in the second set after an ace served by Wilson. Hodge spiked a kill to extend the Wildcats’ lead to 12-8, forcing a Pacific timeout. The Tigers came back as they evened out the score, 13-13. Arizona found a way to regain the 18-14 lead following an ace by Haven Wray. Ultimately, the Tigers never led in the second set as the Wildcats held control of the score to win 25-19, taking a 2-0 match lead.
The Wildcats put up 4 aces in the second set as Wilson led Arizona with 5 kills. Following Wilson, Journey Tucker and Hodge tallied 2 kills apiece.
Set 3
The Wildcats began the third set with a 6-1 scoring run, capitalized with an ace served by Wray. As Arizona held onto the lead, Cisneros spiked a kill to extend the 14-8 lead over Pacific. Wilson put up an ace, continuing to put pressure on the Tigers and control the 20-13 score.
The Tigers never found a way to make a comeback as Arizona went onto win the third and final set 25-17, hitting its highest hitting percentage in the match, .323. Arizona ended the third set on a 3-0 scoring run after an ace served by Avery Scoggins. The Wildcats were led offensively by Hodge, who tallied 4 kills while achieving a .500 hitting percentage. Three Wildcats put up 3 kills apiece including Scoggins, Cisneros and Wilson.
Looking ahead
Arizona maintains its home-court advantage as the Wildcats will move on to host the Great 8 round of the NIVC against the University of Wyoming on Wednesday, Dec. 11 at 6 p.m. in McKale Center.
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