TUCSON, Ariz. – Arizona beat New Mexico State in four sets (25-17, 27-25, 21-25, 25-23) on Friday night during the Wildcat Classic.
 
Three Wildcats had double-digit kills – led by Sofia Maldonado Diaz with 17 kills. Jaelyn Hodge tallied 13 kills and Jordan Wilson followed with 11 kills. Maldonado Diaz also recorded 11 digs for her fourth double-double of the season.
 
Arizona's defense shined against the Aggies, totaling a team season-high of nine blocks. Alayna Johnson totaled seven block assists to tie her career high and lead the Wildcats. Wilson tallied three blocks and four Wildcats had two blocks each.
 
Arizona won the first set, 25-17. The Wildcats hit .600 in the set and held the Aggies to a .143 hitting percentage. Three Wildcats hit about .570 with Maldonado Diaz leading the way with seven kills and a .600 clip. Alayna Johnson hit .600 on three kills and Jordan Wilson followed with a .571 clip on four kills.
 
The Cats took the second set, 27-25. Although NMSU out-hit the Wildcats in the set, Arizona edged out the Aggies with three service aces to take a 2-0 lead in the match. Hodge found her rhythm offensively with five kills and Arizona's middle blockers Johnson and Nicole Briggs each had three kills. Ana Heath served two of Arizona's three aces.
 
New Mexico State won the third set, 21-25, to force a fourth set. Wilson had four kills and a trio of Wildcats had three kills each but Arizona fell behind early in the set and couldn't catch the Aggies.
 
Arizona won the fourth set, 25-23, to win the match. The Wildcats defense tallied four blocks led by Johnson's three block assists to keep the Aggies at bay. Maldonado Diaz led the attack with five kills and Hodge followed with four kills.
 
The Wildcats will close out the Wildcat Classic against Alabama State at 12:30 p.m. MST on Saturday, September 16 in McKale Center.
 
Match Leaders
Kills: Sofia Maldonado Diaz – 17
Assists: Ana Heath – 47
Digs: Ana Heath – 15
Blocks: Alayna Johnson – 7