BOULDER, Colo. – No. 14 Arizona volleyball hit a season-worst .150 and had no answer for Colorado's Alexis Austin as the Buffaloes swept the Wildcats (25-22, 25-21, 25-23), denying Arizona its best start to a season in program history.
Austin needed just 24 total attacks to net 15 kills (.583 hitting percentage), leading a CU offense which hit .250 for the match.
Madi Kingdon led Arizona with 14 kills while Rachel Rhoades picked up six kills on just 10 swings.
“I felt like we were not prepared to play against a good opponent,” said head coach Dave Rubio. “We underestimated them. From the first serve to the last point, they played with much more aggressiveness than we did. It really affected us in areas that we're normally really good at. Our serve receive was not good and we didn't serve well at all today.”
Penina Snuka used 31 assists and 12 digs to pick up her 12th double-double of the season. The sophomore setter also added five blocks and a kill
Arizona struggled in most facets of the game in the first set, hitting just .088 as the Buffs cruised to a 25-22 win in the opening set.
Things did not get much better for Arizona in the second as it hit .136, dropping the set 25-21.
The Wildcats trailed in the third set before rallying to take a late lead at 21-19. The Cats surrendered the next three points and never were able to recover, falling in the third set, 25-23.
Arizona takes on California and Stanford on Wednesday and Friday, respectively, this week to continue Pac-12 play.
For continued coverage of Arizona volleyball, visit ArizonaWildcats.com and be sure to follow the team on Twitter (@ArizonaVBall).
