Huskies Ride Out Swings For Road Dub At Arizona

Friday, October 8

Tucson, AZ

6:00 PM

University of Washington

10-3,3-2Pac-12

Arizona

11-5,3-2Pac-12

Washington

Arizona

Photo by: Red Box Pictures

October 08, 2021 | Volleyball

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By: UW Athletic Communications

TUCSON, Ariz. – Leads weren't safe for either team tonight but Husky Volleyball kept steady after all the swings and pulled out a 24-26, 25-23, 25-19, 25-23 win over Arizona at the McKale Center. Fifth-year All-American Samantha Drechsel was on her game all night, putting down 18 kills including the final one on match point, to lead No. 11 Washington to a win in the first of four-straight road matches.

The Huskies (10-3, 3-2 Pac-12) got their third-straight win after the 0-2 conference start and gave the Wildcats (11-5, 3-2 Pac-12) their first home loss of the season. All of the past three wins have come in spite of a first set loss. It was also the 20th-straight win in the series for Washington.

Washington had to lock things down after a tough first set loss that saw the Huskies storm out of the gates to an eight-point lead, but eventually drop it in extra points. In set two, UW was down 17-21 but went on an 8-2 run to avoid falling down 0-2. In the final set, the Huskies and Wildcats were tied at 22-22 before two kills from Drechsel, and a Drechsel-Lauren Sanders block finished it. The Huskies endured an eight-point run from Arizona in the final set to fall behind by four, but were able to answer once more.

That's our All-American(s)!! Ella May goes to Samantha for her 18th kill hitting .455!!

Road Dawgs Win!!#PointHuskies pic.twitter.com/7cRZaOtFBM
— Washington Volleyball (@UWVolleyball) October 9, 2021

"It really is never easy at Arizona," said Head Coach Keegan Cook. "You can count on taking a huge amount of swings when you play them. They got us out of our rhythm early and had disciplined blocking that was consistently good. They put pressure on us to hit great shots to score.

"I liked how we started the match, but things turned in that first set, and it was tough from there on out. A good night for Sam to do what she can do. Shannon Crenshaw and Lauren Bays had strong performances."

In a defensive grind, the Huskies hit .203 but kept Arizona at .160 for the night. Ella May Powell had 48 assists and 11 digs with a pair of aces, and had a good connection with Drechsel all match. All-American Claire Hoffman added 13 kills, 3 aces and 10 digs, and Marin Grote had eight kills and nine blocks while hitting .375. In the back row, Lauren Bays had 15 digs and Shannon Crenshaw added 10. The Husky serve-receive did not surrender a single Arizona ace, while serving up six of their own.

Claire locks 'em up!! And locks up a huge set win from down 17-21. ??

Even at a set apiece.#PointHuskies pic.twitter.com/b1aX9Ds1OW
— Washington Volleyball (@UWVolleyball) October 9, 2021

UP NEXT: The Dawgs head to Tempe on Sunday for the first time since 2019 for a 12 noon tilt against the Sun Devils. That match will be live stream only through Pac-12.com.