TUCSON, Ariz. -- Christina Higgins finished with a match-high 18 kills to lead California to a 3-0 (19-25, 22-25, 19-25) victory over Arizona on Friday night inside the Haas Pavilion.
Higgins hit .405 and also added two digs and two blocks as the Golden Bears (11-10, 5-6 Pac-12) hit an incredible .404 as a team on the night. Meanwhile, Arizona (12-11, 4-8 Pac-12) was limited to just a .142 attack efficiency. Cal also outblocked UA 13.5 to 5.0 in the match.
Madi Kingdon led the Wildcats with her team-leading ninth double-double of the season as she finished with 11 kills and 10 digs. Taylor Arizobal chipped in nine kills and freshman Olivia Magill had seven kills and a team-high four blocks. Candace Nicholson had a team-high 11 digs to go along with two service aces and two assists.
Cal jumped out to a 5-1 lead in the opening set and the Bears led from start to finish for a 25-19 victory. Arizona cut the lead to two on a couple different occasions but that was as close as it would get. Cal hit an impressive .419 in the frame, while Arizona hit just .106.
The Bears opened the second set with a 13-9 advantage but Arizona quickly closed the gap to tie the score 16-16. Cal won three of the next four points to regain a three point lead at 20-17. The Cats once again battled back to tie the score at 22, but Cal won the next three points to clinch the set, 25-22.
Arizona took a 6-3 lead following the intermission but California quickly tied the score at 8-8. After each team won a point, Cal won three straight to take a 12-9 lead. Arizona was never able to pull even as the Golden Bears stretched out the lead and won the set, 25-19.
