It was Senior Day in McKale Center as head coach Charita Stubbs and the Arizona volleyball team was victorious against Iowa State. The Wildcats won 3-1, extended their winning streak to five matches, the longest in conference play since 2005.
Arizona (18-9, 7-9 Big 12) jumped out to an early 9-4 lead in the first set, as four different players got a kill to start. Jaelyn Hodge started off hot with five kills in the first set.
The offensive attack for the Wildcats was effective, as attackers were able to find the holes in the Iowa State defense. Arizona had a .367 hitting percentage in the first set.
This would lead to Arizona’s ninth consecutive set win, as it took the first set 25-13.
“Holding each other accountable and doing our jobs is the biggest thing,” Hodge said on what leads to early success in the match.
Iowa State (10-16, 4-11) would come out ready to battle in the second set. With some errors from Arizona, the Cyclones would gain a bit of momentum.
The Cyclones’ front line gave Arizona’s attackers problems, as the Wildcats would only hit .205 in the second set.
Taking a 18-14 lead, the Cyclones maintained the lead for a majority of the set. Putting an end to Arizona’s nine set win streak, Iowa State took set two 25-23.
“I thought we were good at some points, and then surprised at other times,” Stubbs said on handling Iowa State’s improvised plays.
Looking to get back on track in the third set, Arizona turned back to hard hitting to take quick momentum. Hodge would help to give her team an early lead.
However, Iowa State would not go down easily. The set would go back and forth with the Cyclones tying it many times.
Even with Iowa State’s improvised plays, Arizona would weather the storm. Taking set three 25-22, it would head into the fourth set looking to put the match away.
“We had each other’s backs, and there wasn’t a point where it felt like we were down or it got tense,” Wilson said.
Hodge and Wilson would lead Arizona into the fourth set, and took momentum early. Continuing to thrive on improvised plays, Iowa State would keep it close.
Proving to be too much offensively for the Cyclones, Arizona would earn a Senior Day victory.
“So good, I know we didn’t get it last year against ASU, so here for part two of my senior night, we did it,” Hodge said on how it felt earning a senior day win.
Winning the fourth set 25-18 and taking the match 3-1, the Wildcats also extended its winning streak to five straight wins.
It is the first five match conference win streak since 2005.
“Everything about this is for the team and a goal that we set out for the season and continue to try to put ourselves in the position to get to the tournament,” Stubbs said on the winning streak.
Wilson recorded 15 kills, and Hodge finished with 14 kills. Carlie Cisneros and Alayna Johnson both finished with eight kills each.
Even with the victory, Stubbs knows there is room for improvement and self reflection.
“I don’t mind close matches at all, when we’re doing our job, but in a lot of ways, we weren’t doing our job,” Stubbs said. “I appreciate the fact that they were willing to listen and hold themselves more accountable.”
The focus now shifts to UCF for the last home game of the season Wednesday, followed by the regular season finale at Texas Tech on Friday.
“Tomorrow’s a new day, and the same with this week,” Wilson said. “We got to come in, practice, and then get ready for UCF and Texas Tech.”