Arizona’s losing streak extends to nine after falling to both USC and UCLA

Barbara Rivero

November 6, 2023

Eli Rahamim

Alayna Johnson (32) and Jaelyn Hodge (11) signal to the rest of the team while the University of Southern California prepares to serve during the volleyball game on Oct. 17, in McKale Center. Arizona lost to USC with a score of 3-1.

The Arizona volleyball team (6-19, 1-13 in Pac-12 play) was unsuccessful in its weekend matches in Los Angeles, Calif. against USC on Friday, Nov. 3, and UCLA on Sunday, Nov. 5. The Wildcats lost 0-3 in both matches which extends their losing streak to nine games.

Friday, Nov. 3: USC (16-8, 10-4 in Pac-12)

Set results: 16-25, 18-25, 20-25

In set one, USC won 25-16. During the first half of the set, a serve by Gala Trubint from USC was killed by Sofia Maldonado Diaz which brought the set to a 6-6 deadlock. In total, Maldonado Diaz had five kills with a hitting percentage of .400 throughout the first set. Jaelyn Hodge would earn the next kill, putting the Wildcats ahead 7-6. The teams continued to tie one another. Until The Trojans pulled ahead with two aces by Mia Tuaniga. Set one was decided by a kill made by Skylar Fields from USC.

Arizona failed to win set two, falling 25-18. Maldonado Diaz led the team with four kills followed by Nicole Briggs with three kills. Defenders Jordan Wilson and Ana Heath made a total of five blocks throughout set two. USC took advantage with three service aces winning the second set.

The Wildcats would also lose the third set 25-20. Heath carried the team with two aces and Maldonado Diaz had one. Keeping their heads up, the Wildcats put forth a defensive match in their last set. Arizona had nine kills with a hitting percentage of .125. Unfortunately, the Trojans would stand their ground and had a total of 15 kills with a hitting percentage of .294, which resulted in USC sweeping Arizona.

Overall, the Wildcats had 29 kills, 36 digs and 4 aces throughout the three sets. The Trojans won the match with 40 kills, 38 digs and 6 aces.

Match Leaders

Kills: Sofia Maldonado Diaz (12)

Assists: Ana Heath (26)

Digs: Jaelyn Hodge (8)

Blocks: Alayna Johnson (5)

Sunday, Nov. 5: UCLA (14-10, 6-8 in Pac-12)

Set results: 23-25, 22-25, 20-25

UCLA took the first set 25-23. Hodge led the team with five kills while Maldonado Diaz and Wilson both had four kills each. The Wildcats were leading at 23-22 until UCLA made a kill and a solo block reclaiming the lead. The Bruins would close out the first set with an Audrey Pak ace.

Arizona failed to even things up and fell in set two 25-22. In total, Arizona had 14 kills, 6 digs and a .310 hitting percentage. This set was close throughout, with both teams being tied at 9-9, 14-14, 15-15, 19-19 and 20-20. UCLA would ultimately pull away late with a 3-0 scoring run, and Arizona was unable to recover.

UCLA completed the sweep with their 25-20 win in the third set. Arizona had a 15-12 lead, thanks to two aces made by Heath. However, UCLA would respond with two aces of their own, thanks to Iman Ndiaye keeping this set close mid-way through. Similarly to their previous sets, the Wildcats would fall behind and were unable to recover once again. On the last play of the third set, UCLA would close out their win when Ndiaye earned a kill from a serve ball by Hodge.

Overall, Arizona made 41 kills, 26 digs and a .232 hitting percentage and UCLA had 37 kills, 33 digs and a .268 hitting percentage.

Match leaders

Kills: Jordan Wilson (13)

Assists: Ana Heath (34)

Digs: Joy Galles & Ana Heath (7)

Blocks: Nicole Briggs (7)

Looking ahead:

The Wildcats are headed back home in preparation to face the University of Utah on Thursday, Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. and the University of Colorado on Saturday, Nov. 11 at 2 p.m.

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