Arizona Reverses Sweep to Beat SDSU in Five Sets
Trailing after two consecutive losses, the Wildcats clawed back from a 0-2 deficit to defeat San Diego State 3-2.
Key points
- Arizona volleyball defeated San Diego State 3-2 in a five-set match on September 18.
- The Wildcats came back from a 0-2 set deficit to win the reverse sweep.
- Arizona will play University of Texas at El Paso on September 22.
The air in the San Diego gymnasium hung heavy with the scent of sweat and polished hardwood. Arizona, sitting at 4-6, faced a moment of truth after falling to the University of San Diego the previous night. The scoreboard blinked red as SDSU took the first two sets, the Aztecs’ rhythm sharp and unbroken. For a long stretch, it looked like another clean sweep was inevitable, the Wildcats’ momentum bleeding out with every missed rotation.
Then, the tide shifted. A block by Journey Tucker changed the air pressure in the room. The Wildcats, fueled by a desperate need to stay alive in the season, began to strike with precision. By the end of the night, they had erased a 0-2 hole to steal a 3-2 victory, their white jerseys bright against the darkened stands as the final point landed on the floor.
Early deficits set the stage
SDSU controlled the opening exchanges with clinical efficiency. Kills from Layla Austin and Annabelle De Jager put the Aztecs on the board early, establishing a lead that refused to shrink. Arizona traded points in a tight early stretch, but SDSU’s ability to string together four-point runs kept the Wildcats at bay. The first set closed 25-16, a stark reminder of the gap in execution.
The second set followed a similar script, with De Jager and Ella Schabort driving a five-point surge that widened the margin. Arizona managed to tie the score at 8-8, Renee Jones delivering two vital kills assisted by Harmony Sample. Yet, every time the Wildcats clawed back, SDSU responded with another burst of power. The set ended 25-19, leaving Arizona down two sets to none with the match hanging in the balance.
Momentum shifts in the third
Down and out, the Wildcats found their footing in the third set. Tucker and Hayden Reeder opened the set with a combined block, signaling a change in energy. The first half saw a back-and-forth battle, but Arizona’s defense tightened. Jones anchored the backline, digging out shots that would have been easy points for the Aztecs. The Wildcats pulled away to lead 14-10, their confidence visibly rising with every successful rally.
The set concluded 25-18, a crucial turning point. The Wildcats had not just won a set; they had reclaimed their identity. The crowd’s energy shifted, the noise in the gym growing louder as the team began to believe in a comeback that seemed unlikely just minutes before.
Dominance in the fourth set
With the match tied at two sets apiece, Arizona seized control. After falling behind by two points, the Wildcats unleashed a nine-point scoring run that stunned the opposition. The lead ballooned to 13-7, and from there, the Wildcats never looked back. Austin served an ace to extend the gap to 21-16, her ball slicing through the air with deadly accuracy.
Reeder closed out the set with a kill, leveling the match at 2-2. The atmosphere in the gym was electric, the Wildcats’ determination palpable in every movement. The fourth set ended 25-19, setting the stage for a decisive fifth set where one team would leave San Diego with a win.
