Recap: Arizona Wildcats Volleyball fall to #1 Stanford
With 3,238 in attendance Friday night at McKale Center sixteenth ranked Arizona Wildcats Volleyball welcomed the number one ranked Stanford Cardinal. Arizona looked to continue winning at home Friday night coming off a nice win against Pac-12 opponent Cal. Meanwhile, Stanford is off to their best start since 2010 and they looked to continue to add to their 14-0 overall record.
Stanford defiantly set the tone at the start of the first set getting off to a 10-5 lead.
Madi Kingdon one of the great kill players in the league saw the block very well and was able to tip the ball right over the net to go along with her overall 22 kills. Arizona played to get away from the block of Stanford, which led to a few points early in the first set.
Wildcats 6’1 Madi Kingdon from Phoenix was all Pac-12 a year ago and even with a huge 6’8 block in front of her she was still able to rack up her kills.
A versatile player Jordan Burgesss for Stanford hits hard and the Wildcats had to play low and in position early if they were going to try and stop that.
Midway through the first set Madi Kingdon challenged a call, which was overturned, and Arizona received the point. Arizona tried to use that as momentum but trailing by 6 at one point Arizona brought it back within one 22-21 but Stanford prevailed and took the first set 25-23. Arizona hit .333 in the set, but allowed Stanford to hit .432.
To me it looked like it came down to a few more unforced errors for Arizona with 6. Madi Kingdon had 12 kills in the first set hitting .250.
Stanford started out the second set a little disorganized but they continued to lead early in the set. Arizona having the best defense in the Pac-12 was really struggling to keep up with the Stanford hitting in the second set. Stanford with size and speed seemed to be a huge factor in the second set as they continued to lead the Wildcats 15-11.
For the Cats, Taylor Arizobal showed tremendous kill success on the right side throughout the second half as the Wildcats continued to battle their way back cutting Stanford’s lead to 3. Madi Kingdon, Taylor Arizobal, and Ashley Harris all had 3 kills midway through the second set. With both teams not giving much away this is the kind of volleyball you want to watch.
Arizona started to pick up the intensity with Stanford failing to get passes up to their front line. Taylor Arizobal answered with two serve aces. Late in the set Stanford continued to fight their way back taking a one point lead. This match was certainly great volleyball to watch going back and forth throughout the set. The second set was defiantly a must win set for the Wildcats. Both teams were battling strong with the back row attack.
Arizona fought back in an electric atmosphere at McKale Center taking the second set against Stanford 26-24 before heading to break. This has only been Stanford’s 8th set they have lost all year. Madi Kingdon had 12 kills and Harris and Arizobal each had 8 at the break. To the third set we go.
Misdirection sets opened up the third set for the Wildcats as Stanford took an early 5-3 lead. Ashley Harris continued to improve and make better choices for Arizona as an outside hitter. Stanford continued to go after Penina Snuka a 5’6 setter on the block for the cats. But, you could expect Arizona to continue to fight back with coach Dave Rubio in charge. Stanford nonetheless continued to lead the third set with a .692 hitting percentage, while Arizona’s Ashley Harris(tallest player in Arizona history at 6’8) continued to pound Stanford with 10 kills midway through the third set.
At this point Madi Kingdon had been set 45 times. Stanford went on a late run taking the third set 25-20 and leading the match 2-1.
For the Cats, Taylor Arizobal showed tremendous kill success on the right side throughout the second half as the Wildcats continued to battle their way back.
In the fourth set Arizona was going to have to go for it and know where Stanford’s Inky Ajanaku was on the floor in order to play some great defense and stop the Cardinal offense.
Madi Kingdon registered 20+ kills for the 22nd time in her career midway through the 4th set. Arizona gave Stanford a minor battle but seemed to need a miracle to take down the #1 Stanford Cardinal Friday night in Tucson.
Stanford took the fourth set 25-20 and won the match 3-1.
Arizona gave a great effort but Stanford’s fire power was just too much to match with.
The Wildcats will continue their 4 game home stand Friday, October 17th as they take on the Washington State Cougars at 6:00pm.
Beardown!
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