In what was a defensive breakthrough weekend for Arizona Volleyball, the Wildcats showed their blocking prowess, picking up 27 blocks on the weekend that saw them down Colorado with a pair of four-set victories.
With all the excitement of Arizona Volleyball bringing in a heralded recruiting class, and the continual development, the one thing that seemed to be missing was a forceful blocking performance, that was until this weekend.
Led by Merle Weidt and Emery Herman who both had 12 blocks on the weekend, the Wildcats showed yet another way in which they could beat a team, creating yet another plan that teams will need to strategize against. Despite a pair of games hitting in the low .200’s, Arizona looked in control all weekend and could have easily swept both matches if not for some bad bounces.
Arizona Wildcats
Herman and Paige Whipple both secured a pair of double-doubles on the weekend as the Wildcats look primed to get back to .500 on the season as they travel to Berkeley next weekend to take on the Golden Bears of California. The Wildcats will then close out the home slate in two weeks as they welcome USC to the McKale Center as Arizona looks to build on their 7-2 home record in 2021.
The Emery Herman Show takes center stage against Colorado
After largely hanging in the shadows of Sophia Maldonado Diaz who is the Wildcats’ best freshman in 2021, Emery Herman had the best breakthrough performance of the year as she largely contributed to the weekend sweep of the Buffaloes.
Herman has been stellar all season, however, playing as the setter sometimes, she doesn’t get the deserved credit as hitters typically do, especially as a freshman. Emery put the Pac-12 on notice this weekend doing it all, coming away with a pair of blocks and a rare non-kill triple-double on Sunday afternoon.
Having already started established herself as one of the premier setters in the conference, this weekend’s performance showcased an all-around game that could very well garner national recognition. Emery has all the makings of an All-American performer for the Wildcats as her development throughout the season has been remarkable to watch.
Don’t miss these Wildcats!
Head Coach Dave Rubio has built quite the program, and this coming fall, amongst a wealth of top-quality Arizona Wildcats programs, they just might be the can’t miss program of the bunch. This is a program that will have great continuity for the coming years, and just might be the next Wildcats program to dance the deepest into the NCAA Tournament.