TUCSON - Arizona volleyball completed its sweep of the Wildcat Classic with a straight-set victory over Pepperdine on Saturday night at McKale Center (25-14, 25-12, 25-17).
 
Arizona needed the minimum nine sets to dispatch its three opponents, Alabama State, SMU and Pepperdine. The Cats won the nine sets by an average score of 25-15. It was a strong showing in Arizona's home-opening weekend. UA now returns to the road for two weeks prior to hosting Arizona State on Sept. 21 in its next home match, the Pac-12 opener.
 
Kendra Dahlke was named the Wildcat Classic MVP. She led the Cats with 12 kills on Saturday and added five blocks. For the weekend, Dahlke averaged 4.78 kills/set on .314 hitting.
 
Arizona's defense was dominant, limiting Pepperdine to a -.037 hitting percentage for the match. UA had 11 blocks in the three sets and 53 digs. McKenzie Jacobson was in on eight of the blocks.
 
Penina Snuka posted a double-double with 25 digs and 19 digs to lead the Cats. Laura Larson turned in another solid effort, putting up 12 digs. Snuka and Larson were also named to the all-tournament team.
 
Arizona stormed out of the gates, scoring 10 of the first 11 points of the match. The Waves would battle back, but never get closer than five points as the Cats won the opening frame 25-14. The Cats posted four blocks and limited Pepperdine to a -.065 hitting percentage. Five different Wildcats had kills in the first set. 
 
It was much of the same in the second set as the Cats grabbed a 10-2 lead on their way to a 25-12 victory to take a 2-0 lead in the match. For the second straight set, UA held the Waves to a negative hitting percentage, much thanks to five blocks and 22 digs, nine by Snuka.
 
Arizona won the third set 25-17 to sweep the Waves.
 
ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Kendra Dahlke, Arizona (MVP)
Penina Snuka, Arizona
Laura Larson, Arizona
Jasmine Gross, Pepperdine
Hana Lishman, Pepperdine
Morgan Heise, SMU
Lauren Mille, SMU
Bayle Bennet, Alabama State
Jamie Coleman, Alabama State
 
UP NEXT: Arizona returns to the road next week as it heads to the New Mexico State Tournament Sept. 9-10 where Texas A&M, Sacramento State and New Mexico State await.
 
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