Arizona women’s volleyball turned a dismal start into a thrilling victory on Friday night, defeating San Diego State 3‑2 in the Aztecs’ home opener. The Wildcats trailed 0‑2, dropping the first two sets 16‑25 and 19‑25, but a series of tactical changes sparked a remarkable comeback.
Coach Stubbs credits teamwork and adjustments
Head coach Rita Stubbs praised her players’ unity, saying, “I love the fact that we fought together and we played together the entire time. Win or lose, it’s one point at a time. Stay together, play to win, be aggressive, pick your line, and have purposeful communication.” The coach noted that the team experimented with lineups and blocking schemes before finding a formula that worked.
Blocking overhaul changes the game
San Diego State’s early dominance was partly due to superior blocking. The Aztecs were able to tip the ball just enough to earn points, while Arizona’s blocks were ineffective. Stubbs responded by adjusting the block rotation, and the Wildcats became more coachable, resulting in a dramatic increase in total blocks—from one in the first two sets to thirteen overall.
Senior middle blocker Journey Tucker led the defensive effort with eight total blocks, including two solo efforts, and posted a .571 hitting percentage, the highest of the match. Tucker also contributed eight kills, tying for the team lead.
Offensive firepower spreads across the lineup
Sophomore right side Renee Jones continued to earn valuable minutes in the Wildcats’ 6‑2 system. She posted 1.89 kills per set this season and recorded 11 kills on .375 hitting in the final match, along with five blocks and four digs, becoming the only Wildcat to reach double‑digit kills.
Reserve outside hitter Hayden Reeder saw increased playing time, delivering eight kills and handling a match‑high 34 serves with only two receiving errors. Her four total blocks tied freshman Marina Vosloo for third on the team.
Freshman contributions and depth
Freshman libero Gigi Whann and second‑setter Harmony Sample were among the six players who appeared in every set, underscoring the depth of the roster. Whann’s steady defense and Sample’s setting helped sustain the comeback.
Coach Stubbs highlighted the importance of hard work, noting, “When you grind and keep going, you eventually get rewarded. That’s exactly what you want to see from our players.”
Serving advantage and final stretch
Arizona’s serving improved dramatically in the latter sets, delivering all five of its aces in the third and fourth sets. Freshman Marina Vosloo contributed 13 points from serving alone during the three winning sets, while Carlie Cisneros logged 15 serves in the final three sets.
The Wildcats closed the match with a decisive 15‑8 win in the fifth set, sealing a 3‑2 victory that will make their bus ride back from San Diego more pleasant.
Looking ahead
Arizona finishes its non‑conference schedule on Tuesday with a road trip to El Paso, Texas, to face UTEP. A win there would bring the Wildcats to 5‑6 in non‑conference play heading into next week’s Big 12 opener.
Original reporting: Arizona Desert Swarm (Tucson Sports) — read the source article.
