TUCSON, Ariz. – The Wildcats lost to USC in five sets (26-24, 12-25, 20-25, 25-20, 9-15) on Sunday afternoon in McKale Center.  
 
Arizona's trio of pins tallied 10 or more kills each for the second-straight game. Jordan Wilson led the offense with 20 kills. Sofia Maldonado Diaz followed with 16 kills and Jaelyn Hodge had 12 kills.  
 
The Wildcats' defense out-blocked the Trojans, 8.0-7.0. Hodge and Journey Tucker each had three blocks for Arizona.
 
Arizona won the first set, 26-24, after falling behind early in the set. The Wildcats had a .314 hitting percentage and Wilson totaled six kills while Maldonado Diaz and Nicole Briggs each had four kills in the opening set. Arizona fell behind 9-16 and strung together runs to take the lead and win the set in extra points.
 
The Trojans won the second set, 12-25. Arizona's offense couldn't find a rhythm in the second set, hitting .000 on eight kills. USC came out strong in the second set, hitting .500 and serving two aces to even the match.
 
The Wildcats lost Set 3, 20-25, to fall behind 1-2 in the match. Despite Arizona hitting .406 and Hodge tallying six kills, the Wildcats couldn't overcome the Trojans who hit .429 and had two aces. Wilson had four kills and Maldonado Diaz recorded three kills in the set.
 
Arizona won the fourth set, 25-20, to force a fifth set. The Wildcats' defense shined in the fourth set, totaling four blocks while holding USC to a .108 hitting percentage. Hodge and Tucker each had three blocks. Maldonado Diaz led Arizona's offense with five kills and Wilson followed with four kills.
 
The Cats fell 9-15 in the fifth set to lose the match. Despite trading points to start the set, USC gained a four-point lead that Arizona couldn't catch. Hodge recorded four kills and Wilson had three kills, but it wasn't enough to beat the Trojans who hit .556 in the set.
 
The Wildcats will head to Oregon and Oregon State on Oct. 13 and Oct. 15, respectively.
 
Match Leaders
Kills: Jordan Wilson – 20
Assists: Ana Heath – 45
Digs: Ana Heath – 12
Blocks: Jaelyn Hodge & Journey Tucker – 3