PULLMAN, Wash. – Washington State volleyball extended the win streak out to four total as the Cougars swept through Arizona inside Bohler Gym Friday evening.
Set scores from the match were: 25-20, 25-18, and 25-17 in favor of WSU (16-3, 5-2 Pac-12).
The opening set of this Pac-12 match began similar to most, as each team was deadlocked multiple times throughout the early stages of action. Arizona (11-8, 1-6 Pac-12) and Washington State totaled seven ties in this first period of play, with both squads exchanging small scoring runs as well.
Alexcis Lusby was a dominate force in set number one, totaling five kills on seven attacks for a hitting percentage of .571, along with adding one block. WSU held a slim 22-20 lead over the Wildcats late, and a 3-0 run capped off the set victory with a kill from Lusby, and a block from both Alexcis and
Jocelyn Urias.
Set number two brought more of the same intensity with once again seven total ties between the Cougars and the Wildcats. WSU found some separation after back-to-back service aces from
Julia Norville, which gave the home squad a 15-10 lead and control of this match. Everyone on the court from Washington State began to get involved with the offensive attack as
Penny Tusa,
Pia Timmer,
Magda Jehlářová, Lusby, and Urias each recorded kills late in the set. Urias finished off Arizona with an ace at 25-18 and a 2-0 overall match lead.
Washington State found its' rhythm early in set number three, as a 4-0 scoring run propelled the Cougars out in front of the Wildcats at 10-7. Back-to-back solo blocks from Jehlářová, along with another ace from Urias gave WSU the momentum it was seeking throughout this contest and the home crowd of Bohler Gym was fully behind the Cougars. The offense was anchored in this final set by
Hannah Pukis, who totaled three kills and 11 assists, and Magda who posted six kills and an incredible hitting percentage of .750 to fuel Washington State. The Cougars finished off Arizona for good with three consecutive kills from Timmer, Tusa, and Jehlářová for the 25-17 victory.
STAT OF THE MATCH
The Cougars saw a pair of freshmen in
Alexcis Lusby, and
Magda Jehlářová each hitting over .500 on the night to lead the WSU offensive attack. Lusby finished with a hitting percentage of .524 on 21 attacks and a match-high 13 kills, while Magda posted a .562 hitting percentage on 16 attacks and nine total kills.
INTO THE TWITTER-VERSE
MATCH NOTES
- Alexis Dirige continues to inch closer to becoming the Washington State all-time digs leader, as she added 19 tonight. Dirige is now just 30 digs away from achieving that all-time record.
- Hannah Pukis turn in a solid stat sheet on the evening with 38 assists, three digs, one block and four overall kills.
- Jocelyn Urias and Pia Timmer each generated eight kills against the Wildcats, with Urias adding three blocks to her stat line.
- The Cougars hit the court once again, Sunday, Oct. 20, as WSU will host Arizona State inside Bohler Gym with first serve slated for 12 p.m.
