TUCSON, Ariz. – The Wildcats battled but fell in four sets to USC on Sunday in McKale Center. Freshman Puk Stubbe led the way for Arizona with 15 kills, but the Trojans won sets two, three, and four to defeat the Cats.  
 
Set 1 | Arizona - 25, USC - 23
Arizona opened the match strong, winning the first set 25-23. Jaelyn Hodge recorded six kills and Stubbe tallied five kills. Sofia Maldonado Diaz and Merle Weidt combined for a block assist to slow USC's attack and help the Wildcats take the first set.
 
Set 2 | Arizona - 18, USC - 25
Weidt dominated the Wildcats' offense with five kills, but USC won the second set 25-18 to tie the match 1-1. Maldonado Diaz stopped USC with a block solo to open the set which gave Arizona the momentum to hold the lead until the Trojans tied the set at 12-12 and the Cats couldn't come back.
 
Set 3 | Arizona - 22, USC - 25
USC took the early lead in the third set, but Arizona fought back to tie the set five times before the Trojans won 25-22. Maldonado Diaz and Emery Herman each knocked down three kills. Herman and freshman Alayna Johnson blocked one of the Trojans' attacks to give Arizona a two-point lead near the end of set, but USC scored four points in a row to win the set.
 
Set 4 | Arizona - 20, USC - 25
In the final set, the Trojans won 25-20 to win the match 3-1. Stubbe had seven kills and hit .357 to total 15 kills in the match. After 12 tie scores throughout the fourth set, USC took the lead at 17-16 and held onto it to finish the match. Freshman Nicole Briggs entered the set at the end and picked up a kill and a block solo for the Cats.
 
Match Leaders
Kills: Puk Stubbe - 15
Assists: Emery Herman - 35
Aces: Sofia Maldonado Diaz - 3
Digs: Kamaile Hiapo & Sofia Maldonado Diaz - 14
Blocks: Sofia Maldonado Diaz - 2
 
Arizona hits the road to take on Colorado on Friday, October 22 at 5 p.m. MST and Utah on Sunday, October 24 at 12 p.m. MST.