TUCSON, Ariz. -- Arizona volleyball completed its sweep of the Cactus Classic on Saturday afternoon in McKale Center, earning a straight-set victory over Pacific (25-22, 25-19, 25-21) to improve to 6-0 on the season.
 
"It's always good to win," said head coach Dave Rubio. "It beats the alternative. That's for sure. We weren't quite as sharp the last couple of matches as I would like us to be. But we're at a level now where we can not be as sharp, but still be successful. Some of that will change when we start to play the teams in our conference."
 
The Wildcats needed the minimum nine sets to earn the Cactus Classic championship. Kendra Dahkle was named tournament MVP, while Julia Patterson and Devyn Cross were named to the all-tournament team. 
 
Dahlke led the Wildcats with 16 kills in the match. The Pac-12 leader in kills has led Arizona in kills in every match this season. She also added a season-high five blocks.
 
The Wildcats dominated at the net, outblocking Pacific 11-2 in the match, led by Dahlke and Cross's five apiece. UA, the Pac-12's leader in hitting percentage, struggled offensively, hitting just .222 for the day, but its defense held Pacific to .104 hitting in the sweep.
 
Arizona struggled in the early parts of every set, but made up for their slow starts by dominating the latter part of each frame.
 
"It's certainly nice to know you can do that," said Rubio of his team's ability to come back. "Mentally and emotionally, we're in a good place. You certainly don't want to be there as a coach. That's for sure. I get a little stressed out when we're down like that and not playing very well."
 
Julia Patterson posted her second double-double of the season with 27 assists and a team-high 11 digs. She also posted four kills and three blocks in the match.
 
Arizona is 6-0 for the first time since opening the 2015 season 8-0. UA will now turn its attention to the Borderland Invitational in Las Cruces next weekend, Sept. 7-8. UA will take on Montana, UTEP and New Mexico State over the two-day event hosted by the Aggies. It's the final nonconference roadtrip of the season for the Wildcats.
 
Pacific was strong out of the gate in the first. Arizona trailed 7-2 and later 16-12, but fought back from both deficits with a pair of 5-0 runs and took its first lead at 17-16. UA extended its lead to 20-17 before Pacific responded with a 3-0 run to tie the first set at 20. UA would close it out though, winning the first set 25-22 to take a 1-0 lead in the match. The Cats had four blocks in the first set, three by Devyn Cross, and limited Pacific to an .085 hitting percentage.
 
The Cats staged another big comeback in the second set. After trailing 13-7, Arizona scored 18 of the final 24 points, including an 8-1 run that gave the Cats the lead late in the set. UA won the frame, 25-19, to go up 2-0 in the match.
 
Arizona won the third set 25-21 to sweep the match. 
 
All-Tournament Team
Kendra Dahkle, Arizona (MVP)
Devyn Cross, Arizona
Julia Patterson, Arizona
Kaitlyn Lines, Pacific
Riley Ramsey, Pacific
Lauren Anderson, Lipscomb
Megan Kuper, Lipscomb
Hannah Turnlund, San Diego State
 
Keep Up With the Cats: For more information on tickets, visit www.arizonawildcats.com/VB. Build your best game day experience at Arizona Volleyball and visit the Arizona Volleyball Game Day Central page! Be sure to follow the team on Twitter and Instagram to keep up with team.