The University of Arizona volleyball team (8-6) won 3-2 in five sets against the University of Utah on Oct. 2, at 6 p.m. in McKale Center. Arizona (23-25, 25-12, 17-25, 26-24, 15-13) made its return home to Tucson after being away for their third Big 12 conference game of the season. 

Standout players 

Senior Jordan Wilson was essential to Arizona’s success with 17 kills followed by Carlie Cisneros with 11 kills. Adrianna Bridges, Cisneros and Brenna Ginder all tallied 1 ace for the Wildcats. Sophomore setter Avery Scoggins totaled 19 digs which was vital in aiding the team’s win.

Set 1 

The Wildcats started the set off strong getting the first 2 kills on the board. This was shortly followed by a roof from senior Wilson giving Arizona a 7-4 lead. Arizona began to pull away from the Utes 11-6 after an ace from Bridges which led Utah to call their first timeout of the game. The Utes tied it up with the Wildcats 12-12 after a five scoring run ended by service error from Levani Key-Powell. 

An intense 5-0 rally finished with a kill from Bridges that extended the Wildcats’ lead 17-13. Though the Wildcats maintained a hold on the lead for most of the match, Utah came back strong taking the lead 24-22 after a kill by Neea-Maria Joki. The Utah Utes took the first set 25-23.      

Set 2

A kill from Cisneros got the first points on the board for the Wildcats in the second set. Arizona built its lead to 7-3 after a rally ended with Utah hitting out of bounds. This was followed by a strong spike and then a service ace from Wilson, continuing Arizona’s 5 point scoring run. The Wildcats gained an 11-point lead after two service errors from the Utes. 

Utah came back to get some kills on the board 16-6, but a kill from Scoggins brought the Wildcats back in possession. Followed by a kill from Britt Carlson and an ace from Cisneros 19-8 for Arizona. 

The Wildcats pulled away early in the set and Utah was never able to find their footing. Arizona took the set 25-12.     

Set 3 

Arizona and Utah were point for point until Utah took the lead 7-5 after an ace from Emrie Moea’i. A 5 point scoring run extended Utah’s lead over the Wildcats 11-7 after another ace from Kamryn Gibadlo followed by a kill from Joki. The Utes quickly continued to pull away from the Wildcats 18-10 after a kill by Devyn Wiest. Arizona was making a comeback 18-13 with a 3 point scoring run but it was ended by a service error bringing the Utes back in possession. 

Arizona’s comeback came too late in the set. Utah won the set 25-17.     

Set 4

Utah began the fourth set with an ace from Gibadlo. The Wildcats gained their first points after a long rally ended with a kill from Journey Tucker tying the teams 1-1. The Utes gained a 2 point lead over the Wildcats but Arizona quickly closed the gap and pulled ahead 7-6 after a kill from Paige Thies. Carlson ended a rally with a roof giving Arizona the lead 11-10. 

Bridges hit a spike which increased the lead to 18-15. After a kill from Carlson, Arizona pulled away 23-18. Once Utah got possession, Joki served an ace which shortened the difference to 23-21. The Utes made a strong comeback and broke set point three times until they were 24-24.   

After a service error from the Utes and a spike from Bridges, the Wildcats won the fourth set 26-24. 

Set 5 

Arizona came into the fifth set pushing hard and taking the lead 5-2. Utah quickly caught up and tied after a kill by Gibaldo brought the score to 8-8. The Utes took the lead 10-8 after an attack error from Cisneros followed by a kill from Joki. The Wildcats reclaimed their lead 12-11 from a kill by Wilson who was assisted by Scoggins.   

After a close game, Arizona took the match in the fifth set 15-13.       

Looking forward

The Wildcats remain at home to take on the University of Colorado, Boulder on Wednesday, Oct. 8, at 6 p.m. in McKale Center.

Follow the Daily Wildcat on Instagram and Twitter/X