TUCSON, Ariz. – Arizona lost its Pac-12 home opener to No. 7 Washington State in five sets (25-23, 25-27, 25-22, 18-25, 6-15) on Sunday afternoon.
 
Arizona's trio of outside hitters each tallied 10 or more kills in the match – with Jordan Wilson recording a career-high 22 kills. Sofia Maldonado Diaz followed with 18 kills and Jaelyn Hodge had 12 kills.
 
Arizona came out strong, winning the first set, 25-23. The Wildcats' offense hit .538 in the opening set, led by Wilson with five kills and a .833 clip. Hodge, Maldonado Diaz, and Alayna Johnson each had three kills to support Wilson. Arizona took an early lead over the Cougars before falling behind and eventually regaining the lead at 16-16. The Cats served three aces in the set to help take the lead over WSU.
 
Washington State took the second set, 27-25, to even the match. Despite Arizona tallying more kills than WSU, the Cougars recorded five blocks to help them win the set. Wilson had five kills again and Maldonado Diaz followed with four kills. Washington State jumped out to an early lead, but Arizona was able to storm back and force the set into extra points before the Cougars won the last two points.
 
The Wildcats won Set 3, 25-22, to take a 2-1 lead in the match. Arizona had seven players record at least one kill to help the Cats win the set. Wilson tallied five kills for the third-straight set, Maldonado Diaz had four kills, and Hodge tallied three kills. Arizona's defense recorded four blocks – Nicole Briggs, Ana Heath, and Johnson had two blocks each.
 
WSU won Set 4, 18-25, to force a fifth set. The Cougars took a large lead to begin the set and Arizona couldn't catch them despite Maldonado Diaz having six kills and Wilson recording five kills. Washington State's defense had three blocks to keep Arizona's attack at bay.
 
Arizona fell 6-15 in the final set to Washington State. The Wildcats fell behind 4-10 and couldn't find a way to win the set. Arizona was held to a .053 hitting percentage in the set.
 
The Cats will head to the Bay Area to take on California on Friday, September 29 at 7 p.m. MST.
 
Match Leaders
Kills: Jordan Wilson – 22
Assists: Ana Heath – 48
Digs: Giorgia Mandotti – 14
Blocks: Alayna Johnson – 4