After giving a scare to the Top team in the land, and taking another strong foe the distance, the Arizona Volleyball team returns home for the Wildcat Classic.
While last weekend’s trip to Austin resulted in a pair of losses for Arizona Volleyball, including one at the hands of No. 1 Texas, there were plenty of wins to be had and momentum gained as they return to the friendly confines of the McKale Center this weekend for the Wildcat Classic.
To recap last weekend’s action, the first win in Austin was a big one for such a young program that is proving that it can hang with the best of the best. And sometimes in doing so, they surprise us by pulling off a shocker like taking a set from the Longhorns program that rarely drops sets at home.
However, the young Arizona squad took the perennial championship contenders, to extended sets. And the second win on the weekend was being able to bounce back and be ready to play another squad the day after an eye-opening experience as it likely was for this team.
Players of the Weekend for Arizona Volleyball
Emery Herman returned home and showcased to Texas what they’ll be missing out on the next three years. And for Wildcats fans, that hopefully includes a victorious rematch against the Longhorns in the NCAA Tournament. Herman has simply continued her stellar form that has been on display since the spring season, and at this point, she seems destined to receive some national attention sooner rather than later, as she continues to lead this program at a high level.
Jaelyn Hodge continued her strong campaign as she paced the Wildcats’ attack on the weekend with 28 kills. With a little more efficiency in her swings, she’ll be right there with Herman and Maldonado Diaz in attracting recognition for being such a high-quality player and asset to the Wildcats that she is.
Kamaile Hiapo was once again everywhere for the Wildcats on the weekend, including getting an ESPN shoutout for… cleaning? Nonetheless, Hiapo is continuing to showcase just like she has in virtually every game of the season to this point. She is the most important Wildcat every night by being such a reliable force in the backcourt.
On Deck: The Wildcat Classic
Arizona Volleyball is back home this weekend to wrap up conference play with a trio of matches in the Wildcat Classic where they welcome UC Riverside and San Diego State (tackling not required) on Friday, before taking on Texas Southern on Saturday afternoon. This weekend should be a good final tune-up for the Wildcats before opening up Pac-12 play against Arizona State.