Gracie Kayko
University of Arizona volleyball player Avery Scoggins goes to hit the ball in McKale Center on Nov. 23. The Wildcat's won the first set, lost the second and won the third and fourth, beating Iowa State University 3-1.
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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