The University of Arizona volleyball team (8-6, 2-2 in Big 12) fell 3-1 in a four-set match (25-23, 28-26, 25-18, 25-22) to the University of Colorado, Boulder on Thursday, Oct. 8, at 6 p.m. in McKale Center. The Wildcats are now 2-4 in their last six matchups.
Despite the loss, senior outside hitter Jordan Wilson and sophomore outside hitter Carlie Cisneros combined for 26 kills, putting up 13 apiece.
Set 1
The first set started off tight as Arizona and Colorado engaged in a seesaw battle for the advantage, ultimately collecting six lead changes. Junior middle blocker Journey Tucker and Wilson led the Wildcats in kills, combining for 9 in the first set.
Colorado’s offense was also clicking, with junior pin attacker Ana Burilović leading the charge, tallying 19 attacks. Both teams displayed strong offense and defense, keeping the rallies alive and intense. A kill from Sydney Jordan, assisted by Sarah Morton, sealed the set for the Buffaloes, 25-23.
Set 2
The Buffaloes and Wildcats came out determined in the second set with both teams scoring back-to-back. Early in the set, Peyton Neal served an ace to give Colorado a 6-3 lead, prompting Arizona to call a timeout. Coming out of the break, Arizona’s Ana Heath quickly answered with a kill, followed by another by Sydnie Vanek.
Colorado maintained the lead throughout much of the set but a kill by Heath, assisted by Avery Scoggins, evened the score 15-15. Then, after an error by Wilson, another kill by Heath tied the score at 16.
Arizona took its first lead of the set at 19-17, after a service ace by Wilson and a kill from Adrianna Bridges, prompting Colorado to call a timeout.
Three consecutive attack errors from Heath shifted momentum back to the Buffaloes, putting them ahead 23-22. Out of an Arizona timeout, Vanek quickly fired back with a kill and soon after teamed up with Heath for a vital block, giving the Wildcats a 24-23 lead and set point.
However, a ball off the net pole and out of bounds tied the set once again at 24, prepping the stage for an exciting finish. Two crucial kills from Wilson closed out the set 28-26, bringing both teams to one set apiece.
Set 3
After taking the second set, the Wildcats came out strong, determined to claim the third. Cisneros delivered offensively with 2 consecutive kills, while Bridges made it tough for the Buffaloes to return her serves. The two teams kept it close, tied at 10, until Colorado went on a 5-point scoring run midway through the set.
A kill by Wilson stopped the run, but the Buffaloes quickly regained their momentum. Colorado stretched their lead to 20-14 after an attack error by Wilson. The match point came after an attack error from Bridges.
The Buffaloes closed out third, 25-18, and led the match two sets to one as they headed into the fourth and final set.
Set 4
Staying true to the pattern of the previous sets, the Wildcats and Buffaloes battled head-to-head, as both programs stayed within 2 points of each other early on. Kills from Cisneros and Vanek, along with Wilson’s service ace, sparked a 4-0 scoring run that put Arizona up 11-8.
However, neither team could pull away as big kills from Heath and Wilson helped the Wildcats extend their lead to 19-16. But a long rally that ended in an attack error by Cisneros shifted momentum, giving Colorado a 21-20 lead, prompting Arizona to call a timeout.
After a 6-point scoring run by Colorado brought the teams to set point, Wilson’s service error allowed Arizona to briefly reclaim hope. But it was short-lived. A final kill by Burilović, assisted by Rian Finley, sealed the set at 25-22, giving Colorado the win.
“The reality is, we have to let it go and be ready to come back on Friday because we’ll have another opportunity then,” said Arizona head coach Charita Stubbs.
Looking ahead
The Wildcats remain at home as Arizona prepares to host Baylor University on Friday, Oct. 10, at 6 p.m. in McKale Center with hopes to get back in the win column.
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