TUCSON, Ariz. – The Wildcats opened the weekend with a four-set victory over Utah (25-16, 25-22, 22-25, 25-18) on Thursday night in McKale Center.
 
Arizona's offense was led by Jaelyn Hodge with 15 kills and a hitting .423 hitting percentage. Jordan Wilson followed with 12 kills. The Wildcats totaled eight blocks – led by Ana Heath who tied her career high of five blocks. Wilson tallied two solo blocks while Nicole Briggs and Alayna Johnson had two block assists each.
 
The Wildcats served a season-high 12 aces. Sofia Maldonado Diaz served four aces and Heath tallied three aces.
 
Arizona won the opening set, 25-16. The Wildcats had a .381 hitting percentage and Wilson led the offense with four kills and a .667 clip. Maldonado Diaz followed with three kills and a perfect hitting percentage. Arizona totaled three blocks in the set and Heath was a part of every block. The Cats jumped to an early lead and served four aces to help win the set.
 
The Wildcats won the second set, 25-22, to take a 2-0 lead in the match. Arizona fell behind early but used well-timed runs and four service aces to take the lead and win the set. Hodge led the Cats with six kill and a .857 clip. Briggs knocked down three kills and hit .750. Heath served two of her three aces to help Arizona take a two-set lead in the match.
 
Utah took Set 3, 22-25. Arizona held the lead until the Utes went on a 7-0 run halfway through the set. Hodge totaled four kills and Wilson had three kills, but Arizona only hit .226 while Utah hit .429 in the set.
 
Arizona won the final set, 25-18, to win the match. The Cats hit .380 – led by Maldonado Diaz with four kills and Hodge and Wilson had three kills each. Arizona's defense had three blocks to hold Utah to a .235 hitting percentage and no aces.
 
Arizona will take on Colorado on Saturday, November 11 at 2 p.m. MST in McKale Center.
 
Match Leaders
Kills: Jordan Wilson – 15
Assists: Ana Heath – 38
Digs: Joy Galles – 8
Blocks: Ana Heath – 5