The University of Arizona volleyball team won 3-1 (26-24, 18-25, 25-20, 25-17) against the University of Central Florida on Friday, Oct. 17, at 3 p.m. in The Venue arena in Orlando, Florida. After coming off a major win against No. 16 Baylor University, the Wildcats brought that energy into this win against UCF.
Standout players
Senior Jordan Wilson led the Wildcats with 22 kills, followed by Carlie Cisneros who had 10 kills. Cisneros tallied the most aces in this match, totaling 4 aces. Brenna Ginder got 2 aces for Arizona.
Set 1
The Wildcats came into the first set hot, getting 6 consecutive kills on the Knights. UCF freshman libero Alexa Haley served an ace which brought the Knights up 7-4. A kill from Wilson gave possession back to the Wildcats, extending their lead 9-5.
After a spike from Avah Armour and a block by Skylar English, the Knights began to shorten Arizona’s lead 10-8. An out of bounds block from Adrianna Bridges tied up the teams 11-11. Wilson put down a powerful spike for the Wildcats which led to a 3-point scoring run for Arizona.
A rally was saved for Arizona by Ginder and then ended by a block from Bridges. UCF was making a comeback and caught up to the Wildcats 24-23 after an attack error by Wilson.
It was a close first set between the Wildcats and the Knights, but Arizona ultimately took the set 26-24.
Set 2
UCF’s outside hitter Armour got the first kill on the board for the second set. The teams were going back and forth until they met at 4-4.
The Knights started to pull away, gaining a 2-point advantage over the Wildcats, but Arizona held on with a kill from Wilson. After an Arizona timeout, UCF’s English served 2 aces during their 5-point scoring run, gaining a 16-8 lead on the Wildcats.
Arizona then went on a 4-point scoring run, attempting to close the gap with a block assist by Journey Tucker and an ace from Cisneros. However, this wasn’t enough to catch up to the Knights.
By the end of the set, the Wildcats had fallen too far behind. UCF took the second set 25-18.
Set 3
The Wildcats opened up the third set, leading 2-1 after an ace from Cisneros. Arizona got 6 consecutive kills on UCF after Cisneros served her second ace of the set. A service error ended the Wildcats’ scoring streak and gave possession to the Knights, which was short lived after a kill from Tucker.
Ginder served Arizona’s third ace of the set, extending their lead 8-3. UCF’s Fallon Stewart hit a strong spike, gaining a point for the Knights. Avery Scoggins responded with a left handed hook, shoving the ball down for a Wildcat kill. Sasha Cohen had two back-to-back blocks that brought UCF closer to the Wildcats at 14-10. Arizona led by 6 points after a kill from Cisneros.
Arizona won the third set 25-20 after a kill from Wilson with an assist from Scoggins.
Set 4
Arizona started off the fourth set strong, leading 5-1 after Cisneros and Ginder both served an ace. Scoggins tipped the ball over the net giving Arizona a 5 point lead over UCF.
After a timeout for the Knights, UCF started to make a comeback 11-10 after Mikayla Porter served an ace. An Arizona roof brought the Wildcats back ahead 13-10. Arizona pulled away from UCF after a spike from Wilson brought the Wildcats to 18-13.
Giorgia Mandotti served an Arizona ace, giving the Wildcats a 7-point advantage that the Knights were having trouble closing.
The Knights weren’t able to get their footing after falling behind, giving the Wildcats the set 25-17 and the match 3-1.
Looking ahead
The Wildcats remain on the road this weekend as they head to take on the University of Houston on Sunday, Oct. 19, at 11 a.m. in the Fertitta Center in Houston, Texas.
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