The University of Arizona volleyball team (11-7, 5-3 in Big 12) lost 3-0 (25-19, 25-19, 25-23) against Iowa State University on Thursday, Oct. 23 at 4:30 p.m. in the James H. Hilton Coliseum. This was Arizona’s first loss in the last three conference games.  

Standout players 

The Wildcats fought hard in this match with the leaders being senior Jordan Wilson, sophomore Carlie Cisneros and sophomore Brenna Ginder. Wilson collected 14 kills during this match followed by Cisneros who tallied 12 kills. Ginder was essential for defense with 14 digs.

Set 1 

Right off the bat, the Wildcats built a 4-point lead over the Cyclones. Though Iowa caught up quickly, tying it up 6-6 after a kill from freshman Alea Goolsby. After going point for point throughout the beginning of the set, the Cyclones had a three point scoring run getting a 19-16 lead. An attack error from Iowa gave the Wildcats possession that was short lived after a kill from Iowa’s Regan Hanfelt. A kill from Arizona’s Cisneros ended Iowa’s scoring run and shortened the gap 23-18. 

The Wildcats lost their footing and were not able to recover quick enough. Iowa State took the first set 25-19.   

Set 2 

The second set began with a kill from Cisneros for the Wildcats. Iowa gained early momentum and gained a 5-point lead on Arizona which led to their first timeout of the set. A service ace from fifth year Haven Wray got the Wildcats back on track after the timeout. Journey Tucker’s strong spike tied the Wildcats 9-9 with the Cyclones. Arizona remained close to Iowa throughout the set, but a kill from Iowa’s Hanfelt brought them ahead 18-15. A three point scoring run for the Wildcats tied up the set 19-19 after a kill from Cisneros. After an attack error from Arizona, an ace from Hanfelt and a kill from Maya Duckworth, Iowa was ahead of the Wildcats 21-19. 

Iowa was on fire in this set and while Arizona fought hard, unfortunately it was not enough. Iowa State won the second set 25-19.         

Set 3 

Starting like the second set, Arizona got the first kill on the board from Cisneros. The Cyclones developed a three point lead after a kill from middle blocker Pan McCune. She ended up being put out for the rest of the game due to an ankle injury. Wilson had a successful attack on Iowa’s block for an Arizona kill. An intense rally ended with an Arizona kill following another kill from Cisneros assisted by Scoggins. The Wildcats caught up to the Cyclones 10-8 with a three point scoring run that ended with a service error from Arizona. As the Wildcats tied up the set 15-15, the Cyclones pulled away again after back to back blocks. Tucker’s kill closed Arizona’s gap 22-20 in the final stages of the set.   

Iowa took the set 25-23 and the match in a clean sweep.   

Looking ahead 

After the past three games on the road, the Wildcats will return home to take on their rivals No. 6 ASU on Saturday, Oct. 25 at 6 p.m. in McKale.  

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