After winning the first two sets, Arizona rallied from 12 points down in the third set to sweep Lipscomb 3-0 (25-14, 25-17, 25-23) Saturday afternoon in the finale of the Arizona Invitational.
The Wildcats cruised through the first two sets, but Lipscomb (3-7) jumped out to a substantial 21-9 lead in the third set. Arizona (5-3) rallied, though, using a 10-0 run to get back into it and eventually pull out the win.
Arizona outhit Lipscomb .375 to .179, led by an extremely efficient effort by sophomore Madi Kingdon. Kingdon finished with a match-high 14 kills with just one error for a .650 hitting percentage. Taylor Arizobal also reached double-figures, recording 12 kills, and Candace Nicholson led the Arizona defense with a match-high 13 digs.
Rachel Rhoades and Shaquillah Torres, who each had a productive weekend, were named to the all-tournament team.
The two teams played evenly through the beginning stages of the opening set, but with the score tied 9-9, Arizona reeled off three straight points to take a 12-9 advantage. Lipscomb was never able to cut into the lead, as Arizona went on to take the set 25-14. The Wildcats were extremely efficient in the opening set, hitting a season-high .500 while allowing Lipscomb to hit just .121. Individually, Kingdon and Arizobal each had five kills in the set. Kingdon was a perfect 5 for 5 in the frame.
The Wildcats took control from the very beginning of the second set, as they led by as many as seven at 15-8. Lipscomb went on a rally to pull within two at 17-15, which forced an Arizona timeout. After the break, UA regained control and cruised to a 25-17 victory. The Cats continued their efficient play by hitting .480 in the set while using a balanced effort that saw five players record two or more kills.
Lipscomb came out firing following the intermission to take control of the third set. The Bisons jumped out to a quick 12-3 lead and forced Arizona to use both timeouts very early in the set. Lipscomb continued to build its lead, which ballooned to double figures. Just when it looked like Lipscomb would pull away in the third set, leading 21-9, Arizona started to put together a rally. The Cats went on an incredible 10-0 run to pull within two at 21-19. After the two teams traded points, Arizona won two straight to tie the score at 22. Following a Lipscomb kill, Arizona took the next three points to win the set and clinch the match.
Kaycee Green led the Bisons with 11 kills on her way to earning all-tournament honors. Jewell Dobson had nine kills and 10 points, while Caitlin Dotson dished out 29 assists.
TCU went a perfect 3-0 on the weekend to claim the tournament title. Arizona finished 2-1, Lipscomb went 1-2 and Iona went 0-3.
