ARIZONA 3, BOWLING GREEN 2 (27-29, 25-23, 18-25, 25-17, 15-9)
TUCSON, AZ – Fifth-year senior Jaelyn Hodge simply exploded at the start of the fifth set for Arizona, spurring the Wildcats to a lead they would maintain to the end and then secure the eventual victory over Bowling Green on Tuesday in the championship game of the 2024 NIVC. In front of a crowd of 2,676 fans, Arizona (24-9) posted its 11th consecutive victory to wrap up the season and give a signature win to coach Charita Stubbs in her second year, one season after the Wildcats finished 8-23. This was the first NIVC title match to go five sets, and it’s the first time a home team walked off victorious since Iowa State in 2018. To kick off the final set, Hodge wrapped two block assists around two kills, then added two more kills and an ace as the Wildcats burst to an 8-2 lead. Arizona got off to a fine start in Set 1, pounding in 11 kills before its first error and pulling ahead, 18-12. Bowling Green amped up the defense and fought all the way back, going ahead 21-20 on a Wildcats hitting error. The set remained tight even past the 25-25 mark, with the Falcons claiming the set on a kill from Mia Tyler and an ace from Amanda Otten. Back-to-back aces by Avery Scoggins staked Arizona to a 17-9 lead in Set 2; Bowling Green again fought back and tied the match at 22-all on a kill from Tyler. The Wildcats responded quickly, claiming the set on a kill from Journey Tucker and a BGSU error. Set 3 saw Arizona cut into an early deficit with back-to-back aces from Carlie Cisneros, but the Falcons regained their edge and pulled ahead 19-12. The set was capped by BGSU on kills from Tyler and Hovey. In Set 4, a 3-0 run for Arizona gave it an 18-14 lead, and the Wildcats were in control the rest of the way, closing the set with an ace from Cisneros. Hodge wrapped up her Arizona career with 25 kills and seven digs; Jordan Wilson added 18 kills and eight digs, Scoggins dished out 54 assists and Cisneros closed with 19 digs. Haven Wray came through with 14 digs. The Falcons (25-10) saw Tyler close with 18 kills, and Hovey had a big night with 17 kills and 19 digs. Otten came through with 43 assists and eight digs, Lindsey LaPinta had 15 digs and Sydnie Hernandez added 11 digs. After the match, NIVC officials announced the 2024 All-Tournament team: Jaelyn Hodge – Arizona (MVP) Jordan Wilson – Arizona Avery Scoggins – Arizona Lauryn Hovey – Bowling Green Mia Tyler – Bowling Green Syd Cole – Northern Colorado Erin Jones – St. John’s
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