TUCSON, Ariz. – Arizona was defeated by No. 14 UCLA in three sets on Friday night. Jaelyn Hodge and Sofia Maldonado Diaz contributed 16 and 11 kills, respectively. Merle Weidt led the Arizona defense with four block assists and tallied two kills.
 
Set 1 | Arizona - 17, UCLA - 25
UCLA took the first set, 25-17. Hodge came out strong for the Cats, recording five kills while hitting .500 in the opening set. Kamaile Hiapo served an ace and Emery Herman knocked down three kills, but the Bruins hit .290 and had four blocks to win the first set.
 
Set 2 | Arizona - 26, UCLA - 28
The Wildcats pushed UCLA to extra points in the second set, with the Bruins winning 28-26. Arizona had the lead in the second half of the set with the help of three kills from Maldonado Diaz and a pair of service aces from Herman and Hiapo. The Bruins edged out Arizona in the final two plays to take a two-set lead in the match.
 
Set 3 | Arizona - 16, UCLA - 25
In the final set, the Bruins won 25-16. Hodge led the way for Arizona's offense once again with six kills. Despite the Wildcats blocking three of UCLA's attempts, including two block assists from Weidt, the Bruins pulled away early to maintain the lead the entire set.
 
Match Leaders
Kills: Jaelyn Hodge - 16
Assists: Emery Herman - 31
Aces: Kamaile Hiapo - 2
Digs: Sofia Maldonado Diaz - 9
Blocks: Merle Weidt - 4
 
The Cats will host USC on Sunday at 1 p.m. MST in McKale to end their four-game homestand.