TUCSON, Ariz. -- Three players recorded double-digit kills and Arizona hit .296 Saturday evening en route to a 3-1 (25-20, 21-25, 25-17, 25-18) victory over Utah in the home season finale.
Sophomore Taylor Arizobal led the team in kills with 16 on .361 hitting. Along with her kills, Arizobal recorded 10 digs to give her a double-double in the final home game of the season. Sophomore Madi Kingdon also posted a double-double with 11 kills and 14 digs. Sophomore Shaquillah Torres posted double-digit kills as well with 12 on a match-high .455 hitting.
Freshman Lauren Fuller and junior Chanel Brown combined for 50 assists. Fuller dished out 23 assists and seven digs, while Brown had 27 assists and seven digs. Freshman Olivia Magill recorded a match-high seven blocks to go along with seven kills. Libero Ronni Lewis added 12 digs from the back row.
The .296 hitting percentage for the Wildcats (16-13, 8-10 Pac-12) was their best in a Pac-12 match this season. They eclipsed their previous Pac-12 high of .288 in the upset of No. 5 UCLA just two weeks ago. Meanwhile, Arizona outblocked Utah 13-5 and held the Utes (13-18, 4-14 Pac-12) to just .183 hitting.
The Wildcats broke an early 9-9 tie in the opening set by going on a 3-0 run to gain the advantage. However, Utah immediately went on a 4-0 run to take the lead at 13-12. Then, with the score tied 14-14, the Wildcats went on a timely 5-0 run to take a comfortable 19-14 lead. Utah was not able to cut into the lead as Arizona went on to take the set, 25-20. Both teams were extremely efficient in the set with Arizona hitting .467 and Utah posting a .333 attack efficiency.
The Utes came out strong in the second set as they turned a 5-4 advantage into a 10-5 lead following a 5-1 run. After Arizona cut the lead to two, Utah went on a 6-0 run to take a commanding 17-9 lead. The Cats would not go down easily as they battled back and cut the lead to three on two different occasions late, but Utah eventually held on to win, 25-21.
Arizona came out of the locker room by opening the third set on a 6-1 run. Utah was never able to mount a comeback as the Cats cruised to a 25-17 victory. The Wildcats continued their efficient hitting by posting a .324 attack percentage in the set, while limiting Utah to just .105.
The Wildcats went on a 4-0 run to break a 9-9 tie early in the fourth set to take a 13-9 advantage. Utah cut the lead to two at 14-12 but that was as close as it would get. Arizona rolled to a 25-18 victory to clinch the match. The Wildcats were solid defensively as they held the Utes to just .028 hitting in the set.
Utah was led by Chelsey Schofield with 10 kills on .026 hitting, while Bailey Bateman adding nine kills on .333 hitting. Kendall Cygan and McKenzie Odale combined for 44 assists, and Lea Adolph led Utah with 13 digs.
