LAWRENCE, Kan. -- Arizona completed the sweep of the Kansas Invitational on Saturday with straight-set wins over Morehead State (25-18, 25-7, 25-16) and Syracuse (25-20, 25-23, 25-22) on the final day of the two-day tournament.
The Wildcats secured the Kansas Invitational championship, sweeping all three matches, extending their winning streak to five matches, the last four of which have been sweeps.
Arizona (7-2) will now return home to host the Wildcat Classic next weekend to wrap up nonconference play. Arizona will welcome Alabama State, New Mexico State and Sacramento State for the two-day tournament Sept. 20-21.
Match 1: Arizona 3, Morehead State 0 (25-18, 25-7, 25-16)
In a dominant performance that included Arizona's largest individual set win (25-7, 2nd) since Aug. 27, 2017 vs. Middle Tennessee (25-7, 3rd), the Cats swept their third straight match to improve to 6-2 on the season. The Cats earned the straight-set win over Morehead State (25-18, 25-7, 25-16) in the first of two matches on Saturday to close out the Kansas Invitational.
The Wildcats hit .355 as a team, led by a 12-1-17 (.647) effort from junior outside hitter
Elizabeth Shelton, who had her most efficient offensive night of her career. Junior outside hitter
Paige Whipple added eight kills.
The Cats out-blocked Morehead State 11-2, led by career-high-tying efforts from both
Shardonee Hayes (6 blocks) and Whipple (5 blocks).
After winning the first set, the Cats had their most decisive set of the season, winning 25-7 in the second to take a 2-0 lead into the break. In the third set, Arizona took a commanding lead early, but had to fight off a 10-0 run from Morehead State to win the third set, 25-16.
Match 2: Arizona 3, Syracuse 0 (25-20, 25-23, 25-22)
To close out the Kansas Invitational, Arizona defeated Syracuse in straight sets (25-20, 25-23, 25-22) in a match between a pair of high-functioning offenses.
Arizona had 47 kills on .368 hitting in the three sets, bettering Syracuse's 40 kills on .268 hitting. Both teams had five blocks defensively.
Senior middle blocker
Devyn Cross needed just 13 error-free swings to net 10 kills (.769 hit%) in one of her most efficient offensive matches of her career. Cross added a pair of blocks as well.
Cross was one of three Wildcats to cross double-figures in kills, joined by Arizona's two leaders,
Katie Smoot and
Paige Whipple, who had 12 apiece.
Arizona out-dug Syracuse 40-30, led by
Kamaile Hiapo's 14.