TUCSON, Ariz. -- Correy Johnson finished with a match-high 15 kills to lead California to a 3-1 (25-22, 13-25, 20-25, 14-25) victory over Arizona on Sunday at McKale Center.
Johnson had just one error on 24 swings for a .583 hitting percentage and finished with a match-high 16.5 points. Meanwhile, Cal (8-6, 2-2 Pac-12) outhit Arizona (9-6, 1-3 Pac-12) .364 to .182 and outblocked the Wildcats, 11-5.
Arizona sophomore Madi Kingdon was the only Wildcat with double-figure kills, as she finished with 14 for the match to go along with nine digs. Rachel Rhoades was the most efficient Arizona player in the match, as she recorded eight kills on 15 swings with no errors for a .533 hitting percentage. Candace Nicholson finished with a match-high 16 digs to lead the Arizona defense.
The Wildcats got off to a bit of a sluggish start in the first set, as they trailed by as much as six at 21-15. However, they quickly turned it around and won nine consecutive points to take a 24-21 advantage. After Cal ended the run with a point to make it 24-22, Kingdon clinched the set for the Cats with a kill.
Cal opened the second set on a 13-3 run, and the Wildcats were never able to get back into it. The Bears cruised to a 25-13 victory in the set to tie the match at a set apiece. Cal hit .385 in the set and shut Arizona down, as the Cats hit -.032 in the frame.
The two teams battled neck and neck through the early portion of the third set to a 9-9 tie. Cal broke the tie with three consecutive points to take the 12-9 advantage. Arizona was never able to put a rally together, and Cal went on to take the set 25-20. The Golden Bears hit a strong .436 in the set.
Much like the third set, Cal jumped out to a decisive lead early in the fourth that Arizona was never able to overcome. Cal led 15-6 to start the set, and the Bears went on for a 25-14 victory to clinch the match.
