After spending the past week on the road with three matches in different cities, the University of Arizona volleyball team (7-5, 1-1 in Big 12) returns home on Thursday, Oct. 2, in McKale Center to host Utah in the Wildcats’ third Big 12 conference game of the season.
History vs. Utah
The two teams have a long history of competition as the Wildcats and Utes have faced each other 44 times. The first matchup between the two programs came in 1977, in Salt Lake City, Utah, where the Utes earned a 3-2 victory. Since then, the Wildcats have recorded 26 wins while the Utes have claimed 18. Over the past 48 years, Arizona’s longest winning streak in the series has been six matches, while Utah’s longest run reached nine. The Wildcats established their dominance in the early years of the rivalry, but in the last decade, they have managed only three wins in 16 meetings. This history sets the stage for an exciting upcoming matchup between two long-time opponents.
Utes to watch
The Utes have dropped their last two matches, falling to Iowa State University and the University of Colorado at Boulder. Their game against Colorado last Saturday, Sept. 27, ended in a 3-0 sweep for the Buffaloes. Despite those losses, Utah has managed to tally more kills, attacks and aces than many of the opponents they’ve faced this season.
The Utes also added three new players to their roster this year: Neea-Maria Joki, a transfer from Clemson University, setter Leah Wilton-LaBoy and freshman Lana Mijacic from Serbia. Mijacic, an international standout, is a three-time National Champion, making her a valuable addition to Utah’s lineup.
So far this season, standout players include Kamryn Gibadlo with 197 kills and 107 digs, Wilton-LaBoy with 314 assists and Levani Key-Powell with 14 service aces. Junior outside hitter Gibadlo, who is originally from Arizona, has been especially impressive. Fans will be watching to see if she can continue her strong performance, as she takes on her home-state rivals in this long-standing matchup.
Wildcats to watch
The Wildcats faced a tough challenge this past Sunday, Sept. 28, against No. 18 Kansas, falling in a 3-0 sweep. Despite the loss, standout performances came from Carlie Cisneros, who recorded 7 kills and two blocks and Adrianna Bridges, who contributed 5 kills, 2 aces and five blocks.
Just two days earlier, however, Arizona showed its resilience in a key matchup against Kansas State University. The Wildcats snapped their four-game losing streak with a 3-1 victory, a much-needed boost for the team’s confidence heading into conference play. That win highlighted Arizona’s potential when they find rhythm offensively and remain disciplined at the net.
As the Wildcats prepare to host Utah, the key will be recapturing the level of energy and execution they showed against Kansas State. If Arizona can build on that performance and clean up the mistakes from Sunday’s loss, they’ll be in a much stronger position to challenge their longtime rival.
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