The University of Arizona volleyball team (17-13, 10-8 in Big 12) fell to Stanford University in four sets (25-16, 25-27, 25-17, 25-20) during the second round of the NCAA tournament, marking the end of the Wildcats’ season. The teams matched up on Saturday, Dec. 6, at 7 p.m. in Maples Pavilion in Stanford, California.
Standout players
Senior Jordan Wilson was essential for the Wildcats with 17 kills, three blocks and seven digs. This game concluded Wilson’s collegiate volleyball career, as she will play in Major League Volleyball for the Grand Rapids Rise.
Carlie Cisneros followed Wilson in being a vital team player for the Wildcats. She tallied 12 kills and nine digs.
Set one
Stanford started the set strong by obtaining the first 2 points after a kill from Julia Blyashov. The teams continued to go point-for-point until Stanford went on a 3-point scoring run, pulling away 11-7. Arizona shortened Stanford’s lead to 5 points after a strong kill from sophomore Cisneros. Cisneros led Arizona’s offense, tallying six kills during the first set, shortly followed by Wilson, who tallied four.
Stanford went on consistent scoring runs that allowed them to pull ahead of the Wildcats. The Cardinals took the first set 25-16.
Set two
Stanford opened the set with four back-to-back kills from Jordyn Harvey and Blyashov. Arizona was able to gather their first two kills from Wilson. The Wildcats were able to tie up the set 5-5 after a 3-point scoring run with kills from Renee Jones and Wilson. Sydnie Vanek brought the Wildcats ahead of the Cardinals with kills after an assist from Avery Scoggins. Stanford held onto Arizona throughout the set and tied it up 25-25 after senior outside hitter, Elia Rubin, put it over the net. Journey Tucker and Scoggins got the second set point.
The Wildcats were able to make a comeback in this set, which evened out the match. Ultimately, Arizona prevailed 27-25.
Set three
Cisneros put the first point on the board for Arizona in the third set. The Cardinals took off, gaining a large advantage after a 5-point scoring run after numerous attack errors from Arizona. This brought Stanford 10-4 on the Wildcats. The closest the Wildcats got to Stanford was a 5-point gap after a kill from Wilson that brought the score to 14-9.
Unfortunately, Arizona could not maintain momentum from the previous set. Stanford’s long scoring runs made the Wildcats fall behind and unable to catch up. The Cardinals won the third set 25-17.
Set four
Stanford and Arizona were tied 2-2 at the beginning of the fourth set. The two teams held a close score until Stanford pulled away with a kill from Rubin, bringing their lead to 7-4. Rubin served an ace for the Cardinals, extending their lead 10-5, but shortly after, turned possession over to the Wildcats after a service error. Stanford doubled their lead 14-7 against the Wildcats after Erika Sayer dumped the ball over the net.
Arizona’s 3-point scoring run brought the gap to less than 10 points, but it wasn’t enough to catch up. Stanford took the set 25-20, and with that, the match in four sets. With this loss, Arizona closed out its season with a 17-13 overall record and 10-8 in Big 12.
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