Wildcats Lose to Arizona State

TUCSON, Ariz. – Arizona was swept by No. 18 Arizona State (19-25, 22-25, 20-25) in the final match of the 2023 season.
 
Sofia Maldonado Diaz had 13 kills to lead the Wildcats. Jaelyn Hodge followed with nine kills and Jordan Wilson had eight kills.
 
Arizona’s defense recorded six blocks to out-block Arizona State with five blocks. Alayna Johnson and Wilson each had four blocks.
 
The Cats fell in the opening set, 19-25. The set began with both teams trading points before the Sun Devils pulled ahead for the lead. Maldonado Diaz tallied five kills and hit .500 in the first set. Johnson had three kills with a .600 clip, but ASU held the Wildcats to a .143 hitting percentage to win the set.
 
Arizona fell, 22-25, in Set 2. Despite the Cats out-blocking the Sun Devils in the set, Arizona only hit .212. Hodge had five kills and Wilson followed with four kills. Maldonado Diaz notched three kills and three other Cats had one kill each, but it wasn’t enough for Arizona to take the set.
 
The Wildcats lost Set 3, 20-25, to lose the match. The Wildcats held the lead until halfway through the set when the Sun Devils made a run to take the lead. Maldonado Diaz recorded five kills while Hodge and Wilson had three kills each.
 
Match Leaders
Kills: Sofia Maldonado Diaz – 13
Assists: Ana Heath – 28
Digs: Joy Galles – 10
Blocks: Alayna Johnson & Jordan Wilson – 4