(LAWRENCE, KS) Arizona volleyball spoiled the first ever sellout in Horeji Family Volleyball Arena, sweeping the host Kansas Jayhawks (25-21, 25-21, 25-23) in their new arena in UA’s first match of the Kansas Invitational in Lawrence, Kansas.
“Any win is a good win,” said head coach Dave Rubio. “We still have a lot of work to do, but winning on the road is a nice accomplishment. But now we have to get ready for Morehead State and Syracuse tomorrow.”
In front of 2,265 fans in the second match ever at KU’s new volleyball facility – Kansas swept Morehead State on Thursday night in the arena’s grand opening – Arizona (5-2) defeated Kansas (4-3) in convincing fashion, outhitting the Jayhawks .294 to .191 in the straight-set win.
Senior setter Julia Patterson ran led the Wildcats with her third double-double of the year (34 assists, 10 digs) while adding two aces.
Arizona’s junior outside hitter duo of Katie Smoot and Paige Whipple led the Cats offensively with 11 kills apiece.
Senior middle blocker Devyn Cross needed just 12 swings to net eight kills (.500 hit%) and added two blocks and a dig.
BY SET
Set 1 (Arizona 25, Kansas 21): The Wildcats had 18 kills in the first set, hitting .263 while holding Kansas to a .179 clip. Katie Smoot led the way with six kills in the frame.
Set 2 (Arizona 25, Kansas 21): Arizona made it a 2-0 advantage heading into intermission with another convincing 25-21 victory. Arizona hit an even .300 in the set while holding KU to a .107 mark. The Cats scored nine of the final 14 points to break away after the Jayhawks had rallied to tie the set at 16.
Set 3 (Arizona 25, Kansas 23): In the closest set of the night, Kansas rallied from down five early to tie the third set at 21 apiece. At 22-all, a key challenge by Arizona head coach Dave Rubio reversed what was ruled as a Paige Whipple hitting error to a touch at the net, trading a one-point Wildcat deficit for a one-point lead. UA would score the final two points to sweep the match.
UP NEXT
Arizona wraps up the Kansas Invitational on Saturday with matches vs. Morehead State (10 a.m.) and Syracuse (5 p.m.).
Courtesy of Arizona Communication Services
