TUCSON, Ariz. – The Wildcats took down No. 20 Washington in a five-set thriller for the first time since 2010. Arizona totaled 16.0 blocks in the match – six of which were triple blocks.
Arizona was led by Sofia Maldonado Diaz with 18 kills and a .310 clip. Kamaile Hiapo tallied 25 digs and Emery Herman led the Wildcats on defense with six blocks. Zyonna Fellows and Alayna Johnson had five blocks each.
Washington won the first set, 25-20. Lauren Rumel led Arizona with three kills in the set, but the Huskies held Arizona to a .029 hitting percentage.
Arizona won Set 2, 25-18. The Wildcats had 5.5 blocks in set, including three triple blocks, to even the match. Jaelyn Hodge and Maldonado Diaz each recorded four kills to lead the offense. Arizona’s defense held Washington to a .103 hitting percentage while Arizona hit .289 in the set.
The Huskies took the third set, 25-12. Washington took an early 5-0 run and held the lead the rest of the set.
The Wildcats won the fourth set, 25-19, to force the fifth set. Arizona tallied 5.5 blocks again and out-hit Washington to win the set. Maldonado Diaz led the way with five kills and Johnson followed with four kills.
Arizona won the fifth set, 15-10, to take down the Huskies for the first time since 2010. Maldonado Diaz had five kills and hit .625 to lead Arizona to win the match.
Arizona will face Washington State on Sunday, Nov. 13 at 11 a.m. MST in McKale Center.
Match Leaders
Kills: Sofia Maldonado Diaz – 18
Assists: Emery Herman – 45
Digs: Kamaile Hiapo – 25
Blocks: Emery Herman – 6
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