Dawgs Grab First Round With Wildcats, 3-0
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TUCSON, Ariz. – A balanced attack helped the Husky volleyball team grab the first of two meetings with Arizona at the McKale Center tonight. Senior middle blocker Lauren Sanders led the offense with nine kills, adding two aces and three blocks, as the 11th-ranked Huskies (2-1) fought off a late Arizona rally to get the job done in three sets, 25-21, 25-20, 29-27.
Head Coach Keegan Cook was happy with how the Huskies saw improvements in serving and serve-reception, though there was still plenty for the young Dawgs to build on.
"I thought we executed some tactical plays at the end that we'd tried to do the whole match. We say nail your assignments then whatever happens happens," said Cook. "We got a lot of return on the work we've been doing serving and receiving. But there are many places we wanted to be better. Out of system setting, hitting some balls in more consistently. We'll always take a three set win and get ready to go again tomorrow."
All three sets were close through the midway point, but UW played cleaner late and pulled away in sets one and two. In the third, Arizona had four set point chances, but UW saved them and won on its second match point. A crucial solo block from freshman Madi Endsley at 27-27 gave the Huskies the decisive match point.
Play of the day goes to freshman Madi Endsley's solo stuff block on the left to give the Huskies match point at 28-27! ????#PointHuskies pic.twitter.com/KT2nYRU8Fo
— Washington Volleyball (@UWVolleyball) January 30, 2021
Along with Sanders' efforts, Endsley and Samantha Drechsel each had seven kills, Claire Hoffman added six, and Marin Grote had four. Ella May Powell had 28 assists and a team-high 10 digs. Drechsel was in on five block assists and Grote added four blocks, as the Huskies had nine team blocks compared to six for Arizona.
UW had seven aces compared to two for the Wildcats, and the Huskies hit .239 for the match while Arizona finished at .129.
UP NEXT: The Huskies and Wildcats will turn around and do it all again tomorrow, as the rematch is set for 5:30 p.m. Pacific time, streamed live on Arizona's website.