UCLA takes No. 12 Minnesota to five sets

LOS ANGELES – Completed middle blocker Anna Dodson enjoyed one of the best nights of her career, posting a career-best 24.5 points and 20 kills in a five-set loss to No. 12 Minnesota on Friday night at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom.

The set scores were 21-25, 22-25, 25-21, 27-25 and 10-15.

The two teams were tied in nearly every statistical category in the back-and-forth contest, but the Golden Gophers (9-4, 2-1 Big Ten) avoided going backwards by holding off the Bruins (7-5, 1- 2 Big Ten) in the decisive fifth set.

UCLA's win in the third set was marked by Dodson's five kills and Kate Reilly's Commitment on the service line, dealing two aces during a 5-0 run. Minnesota erased the lead with a 5-0 run of its own, but after a kill from Olson for a crucial side out, the Bruins held on for a 25-21 set win and extended the game.

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Anna has 12 kills at the highest level!

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— UCLA Women's Volleyball (@UCLAWomensVB) October 5, 2024

The Bruins extended the game to a decisive fifth set after a hard-fought victory in the fourth frame. Leilani Dodson contributed with two kills and two blocks, leading the effort. Grayce Olson was exceptional down the stretch, delivering three consecutive kills after the set reached the deuce, securing the frame for UCLA and pushing the match to the fifth set.

A.Dodson set a career high with 20 kills for an impressive .462 hitting percentage, marking the highest kill tally for a Bruin in a single game this season. Her defensive skills were also on display as she achieved a career high with nine blocks.

Graduate setter Audrey Pak delivered a season-high 54 assists and recorded her fourth double-double of the year, adding 14 points to her performance. Pak was also involved in the attack, scoring five kills in seven swings.

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— UCLA Women's Volleyball (@UCLAWomensVB) October 5, 2024

Outside attacker Grayce Olson And Kiki Horne Each contributed 13 kills while Cheridyn Leverette extended her streak of double-digit kills to 11 straight contests, securing 10 for the night.

Defensive, senior libero Peyton Dueck shined with a season-high 20 digs and provided seven assists.

UCLA initially kept the momentum in the fifth set when Pak punished an overpass and was able to tie the score at 3-3. A. Dodson and Leverette followed with back-to-back kills, but a 3-0 run by Minnesota gave the visitors an 8-6 lead when the teams switched sides. The Golden Gophers extended their run to six consecutive points. Although the Bruins narrowed the deficit to three points, Minnesota maintained its lead and secured the decisive fifth set.

UCLA will return to Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom to host Michigan tomorrow night at 7 p.m. The game can be watched on B1G+.