Maldonado Diaz Has Breakout Match in Loss to #11 Washington

Friday, January 29

Tucson, Ariz.

5:00 PM

University of Arizona

0-3,0-3Pac-12

Washington

2-1,2-1Pac-12

Team	1	2	3	Final F
Washington	25	25	29	3
Arizona	21	20	27	0

TUCSON, ARIZ. -- Volleyball vs Washington Jan. 29, 2021. Photo by Mike Mattina /

Photo by: Mike Mattina / Arizona Athletics

Maldonado Diaz Has Breakout Match in Loss to #11 Washington

01/29/2021 | Volleyball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Photo Gallery

By: Arizona Athletics

TUCSON, Ariz. -- After totaling 10 kills last week at Utah, freshman Sofia Maldonado Diaz had a match-high 14 kills, hitting .233, the highest of any Wildcat pin player, in Arizona's three-set loss to 11th-ranked Washington (25-21, 25-20, 29-27) in UA's home-opener.

Arizona's offense posted five more kills than the Huskies, totaling 41 in the three sets to Washington's 36, but UW hit .239 in its 92 attacks while the Wildcats hit .129 for the match.

Maldonado Diaz's 14 kills were the most of any player in the match. Paige Whipple finished with 11 in a big bounce-back match for the senior.

In addition to its advantage in the kill column, UA also outdug Washington in the match, 36-34. Sophomore libero Kamaile Hiapo led the Cats with 12 -- a season-high and the 33rd career match with at least 10 digs.

The match was very competitive despite the sweep. Washington was more efficient closing out sets that the young Arizona team. The Huskies ended the first set on a 9-5 run after the teams were tied at 16. In the second set, UA led 18-15 before the Huskies went on a 7-2 run to win the frame. In the third, UA led 24-22, but could not close out three set points as the Huskies came back to win, 29-27.

Arizona (0-3, 0-3 Pac-12) and No. 11 Washington (2-1, 2-1 Pac-12) meet again on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. MST.

MATCH LEADERS

Kills » Sofia Maldonado Diaz (14)
Assists » Emery Herman (35)
Aces » Sofia Maldonado Diaz, Joy Galles (1)
Digs » Kamaile Hiapo (12)
Blocks » Zyonna Fellows (3)

HIGHLIGHTS

?????? ?????????????? ???????? ??

?? https://t.co/8wr7x4eLKd pic.twitter.com/5V7AlEXw4R
— Arizona Volleyball (@ArizonaVBall) January 30, 2021

A changeup from @jaelynhodge for the kill ??

Washington leads the first set in Tucson, 11-10.

?? https://t.co/8wr7x4eLKd pic.twitter.com/nV6TOjQmVr
— Arizona Volleyball (@ArizonaVBall) January 30, 2021

Another kill for Sofia! ??

The freshman leads Arizona with four kills and the Cats are within one in the second set!

?? https://t.co/8wr7x4eLKd pic.twitter.com/TIToo3IhFN
— Arizona Volleyball (@ArizonaVBall) January 30, 2021

The dig by Dilara! The kill by Sofia! We lead by a pair!

?? https://t.co/8wr7x4eLKd pic.twitter.com/1l20Kjyid8
— Arizona Volleyball (@ArizonaVBall) January 30, 2021

It's a match-high ?? kills for Sofia Maldonado! ??

?? https://t.co/8wr7x4eLKd pic.twitter.com/xUim8eSRgb
— Arizona Volleyball (@ArizonaVBall) January 30, 2021

She ???????????? be stopped! Sofia Maldonado Diaz has 1?3? kills on .4?1?7? hitting! ??

We lead Washington, 21-19 in the third! pic.twitter.com/hSVQOSoFHQ
— Arizona Volleyball (@ArizonaVBall) January 30, 2021