Opening night in Pac-12 volleyball was full of surprises. Arizona State upset No. 8 Washington in straight sets. California gave No. 22 UCLA a run for the money. Could Arizona shock Utah, the preseason favorite?
That was too big of an ask, as the Utes downed the Wildcats in straight sets (25-23, 25-16, 25-15) in Salt Lake City.
There was one surprise, though.
Freshman Sofia Maldonado Diaz, who had difficulty getting into the U.S. then tested positive for COVID-19, made her debut early in the opening set. The Mexican national teamer made quite the impression, amassing eight points in her first collegiate match despite hardly practicing leading up to it.