Bruins Edge Cats in Four Sets
LOS ANGELES -- Arizona Volleyball hung tough with 15th-ranked UCLA on the road, but fell in four sets to the Bruins in Pauley Pavilion (26-24, 18-25, 22-25, 25-27).
The Wildcats won a thrilling opening set, fighting off three UCLA set points over a 5-0 run to win the first set 26-24 after being down 24-21. The Bruins evened things up with a 25-18 second-set win and then sets three and four were decided by a total of five points.
Sofia Maldonado Diaz led the Wildcats once again in the match, recording 17 kills and seven digs. The reigning Pac-12 Freshman of the Week added two blocks and an ace in the match.
In her first career start replacing China Rai Crouch, who was concussed last week vs. Oregon State, junior middle blocker Merle Weidt had six kills and a team-most five blocks in the match. Arizona had nine blocks as a team in the four sets, tied for the most of the season.
Emery Herman had a monster double-double, posting 33 assists and career-high 17 digs. She had five kills on 10 error-free swings and an ace as well.
Kamaile Hiapo posted her third consecutive match with at least 15 digs, recording 16 of UA's 58 in the match.
Paige Whipple returned from a three-match injury absense for the Cats and finished with nine kills, six digs and a season-high-tying three blocks.
MATCH LEADERS
KILLS » Sofia Maldonado Diaz (17)
ASSISTS » Emery Herman (33)
ACES » Sofia Maldonado Diaz, Emery Herman, Jaleesa Caroccio (1)
DIGS » Emery Herman (17)
BLOCKS » Merle Weidt (5)