BROOKLYN, N.Y. – Thirteenth-ranked Arizona faced a 20-12 deficit in the third set, staring at its first two set to one disadvantage of the season. Instead, the Wildcats would end the third set on a 13-3 run, including scoring 10 of the set's final 11 points, to win the set and turn an impending 2-1 deficit into a 2-1 lead on their way to a four-set victory over previously-unbeaten Syracuse (16-25, 25-21, 25-23, 25-18).
“It was tough, hard-fought win,” said head coach Dave Rubio. “We didn't play too well but we just gutted it out. We found a way to get it done. It's certainly not pretty but I'll take the 'W'.”
With the win, Arizona improved to 7-0 for the sixth time in school history and first time since 2009.
Nikki Attea and Tyler Spriggs led Arizona with 14 kills apiece, each needing 32 swings to do so. It was Attea's third double-digit kill effort as a Wildcat and Spriggs' second.
Arizona hit .246 as a team, paced by its middles Halli Amaro (.636) and McKenzie Jacobson (.429). Amaro and Jacobson picked up seven kills apiece.
The offense was fueled by Penina Snuka's 45 assists.
Syracuse hit .242, the highest of any Wildcat opponent this season. UA entered the weekend leading the NCAA in opposing hitting percentage (.076).
After Arizona scored the first two points of the match, Syracuse went a 6-1 run and never looked back. The Orange cruised to a 25-16 first-set victory.
Following the disappointing first, Arizona started fast in the second, racing out to a 9-2 lead and keeping the Orange at arm's length the majority of the second set. A late Syracuse charge cut Arizona's lead to three but the Cats closed out the second to even the match at one.
Syracuse dominated the early part of the third set, appearing poised to take a 2-1 advantage in the match. Syracuse took a 20-12 lead, causing Rubio to take a timeout. UA would score the next three to make it a five point game before Syracuse scored the next two to put Arizona behind 22-15. UA tied the game with seven straight points and, after Syracuse took a 23-22 lead, the Cats scored the set's final three points to earn a hard-fought comeback 25-23. Arizona closed the set on a 10-1 run.
“We just found a different way to win it,” said Rubio. “I think there are enough pieces there that people refuse to give in. We have enough experience on the floor to where people will step up when we need them to.”
Arizona carried that momentum into the fourth and used an early 8-1 run to take a commanding lead early on. Syracuse chipped away to cut Arizona's lead to 17-14 before Arizona broke away to win the fourth set 25-18 and win the match 3-1.
Up Next: Arizona concludes the Blackbird Invitational on Saturday, meeting host LIU Brooklyn at 9:30 a.m. PDT before its first ranked opponent of the year, No. 15 Ohio State, awaits Arizona at 2 p.m. PDT.
Follow Arizona Volleyball: For further coverage of Arizona volleyball, visit ArizonaWildcats.com and follow the team's Twitter and Instagram accounts (@ArizonaVBall).
