Tournament: Cactus Classic
Score: Arizona 3, VCU 1 (21-25, 25-12, 25-13, 25-18)
Location: Tucson, Ariz. (McKale Center)
Records: VCU 0-1, Arizona 2-0
 
The short story: Graduate middle blocker Jasmine Knight became the ninth player in school history to reach the 1,000-kill mark, but it wasn't enough for VCU to hold off host Arizona Saturday in the Rams' 2024 season opener.
 
OPENING VOLLEY

• Knight, who entered Saturday's match with 997 kills, spiked nine on the Wildcats on 19 attempts. She also registered five blocks to raise her career total to 438 and surpass Kelsie Clegg for third on the program's all-time list
• Junior outside hitter Alicja Jaryszek led the Rams with 13 kills on 32 swings. She hit .312
• Daytona State transfer Julia Rienks also supplied 10 kills, eight digs and a pair of blocks for the Black and Gold, while sophomore libero Anja Kujundzic provided 12 digs from the back row
• VCU freshman Cansin Sendir handed out 21 assists in her collegiate debut
• Jaelyn Hodge led all players with 14 kills for Arizona 

THE DIFFERENCE

• Arizona outhit VCU .225-.148 in the contest. The Rams held the Wildcats to a .098 mark in the first frame on the way to a 25-21 win, but Arizona roared back to hit .368 and .375 in the second and third frames, respectively
• The Wildcats scored 10 service aces in the contest, while VCU managed two. The Rams were also stung by 15 service errors
• Down 2-1, VCU threatened in the fourth. Rienks combined with freshman Letizia Galli on a double block, then recorded kill on the ensuing play to stake the Rams to an 11-9 lead. But Arizona answered with four straight points, and VCU never led again

NEXT UP
VCU will take on Boise State on Sunday, Sept. 1 at 1 p.m. (EST) at Arizona's McKale Center in its Cactus Classic finale.