University of Arizona
0-1,0-1Pac-12
Utah
1-0,1-0Pac-12
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 23 | 17 | 15 | 0 |
| Utah | 25 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
Wildcats Drop Season Opener to 10th-Ranked Utah
01/22/2021 | Volleyball
It was a tall task for Arizona, which started three true freshmen on the road at a senior-laden Utah team, which was selected as the overwhelming preseason Pac-12 favorite by the conference coaches. The Wildcats hung tough early, dropping the opening set by just two points, but struggled to slow the Utes in the second and third sets.
"With as much time as we'd had off, I wasn't sure what to expect coming into tonight," said head coach Dave Rubio. "I was pleased with Game 1. I thought we put ourselves in a position to win that set. I was disappointed in sets 2 and 3 in our ability to serve receive and to score points."
Newcomers Dilara Gedikoglu and Sofia Maldonado Diaz impressed in their first career matches at Arizona, with Gedikoglu just missing out on a double-double, leading the Wildcats in both kills (9) and digs (10). Maldonado Diaz had five kills, two aces and two blocks for the Wildcats in her first collegiate match. Paige Whipple had four skills while Jaelyn Hodge had three in her first career match.
"Dilara played a very good match tonight," said Rubio. "And she is a much better server than she showed, so I am excited to see what she can do this season."
Arizona debuted a new pair of setters, running a 6-2 offense, utilizing both of its first-year setters. Senior transfer Akia Warrior led the way with 11 assists while freshman Emery Herman had six assists and seven digs in her first career match.
The Wildcats struggled offensively, hitting just .029 in the match, while the Utes hit .280 on the night. Both teams had four aces and five blocks.
Arizona (0-1, 0-1 Pac-12) and No. 10 Utah (1-0, 1-0 Pac-12) will meet again on Sunday at noon in Salt Lake City.
MATCH LEADERS
Kills » Dilara Gedikoglu (9)
Assists » Akia Warrior (11)
Aces » Sofia Maldonado Diaz (2)
Digs » Dilara Gedikoglu (10)
Blocks » Zyonna Fellows (4)
TOP PLAYS
You might want to get used to seeing this ??
— Arizona Volleyball (@ArizonaVBall) January 23, 2021
Freshmen Jaelyn Hodge and China Crouch team up for the #ARIZONAROOF ??????????
We lead 10th-ranked Utah early on in Set 1! pic.twitter.com/tzTfQQfMsz
Another #ARIZONAROOF on the board for the Cats!
— Arizona Volleyball (@ArizonaVBall) January 23, 2021
Zyonna and Sofia send this one back! ?? pic.twitter.com/ZUJCtaUQp1
The first of many!
— Arizona Volleyball (@ArizonaVBall) January 23, 2021
That @dilaragediik heat! ?? pic.twitter.com/Yh9EwB36B8
She can do it ALL!
— Arizona Volleyball (@ArizonaVBall) January 23, 2021
Sofia Maldonado has four kills and now two aces in her first collegiate set! pic.twitter.com/pok1mH8h2e
What. A. Rally!
— Arizona Volleyball (@ArizonaVBall) January 23, 2021
We had Wildcats spilling all over the floor and it ends with a @pwhipple21 kill! pic.twitter.com/gvCDaTj2lV
?? NOPE ??
— Arizona Volleyball (@ArizonaVBall) January 23, 2021
Paige and Zy with the #ArizonaRoof! pic.twitter.com/9uTj3Vlsfc
The Turkish Hammer ??
— Arizona Volleyball (@ArizonaVBall) January 23, 2021
?????? swing from @dilaragediik! pic.twitter.com/xCVQ1fudSe
?? Akia ? Dilara ??@dilaragediik leads Arizona in both kills (7) and digs (8)! pic.twitter.com/RxVxXFxjyr
— Arizona Volleyball (@ArizonaVBall) January 23, 2021
We're battling back in the third!
— Arizona Volleyball (@ArizonaVBall) January 23, 2021
Sofia Maldonado and Zyonna Fellows combine on another #ArizonaRoof! ?????? pic.twitter.com/zBK04B05Lv
