SEATTLE — As if the first set wasn't wild enough.

Minutes after out-dueling Arizona in a hectic back-and-forth opening frame in which they prevailed by an incredible 31-29 margin, the Toreros found themselves chasing by seven as Saturday's second set neared its midpoint.

Then they scored. And scored. And scored. Again, and again, and again, until San Diego had ripped off a 9-0 run and taken a 15-13 lead that helped propel it to a wild 3-2 win over the Wildcats at Alaska Airlines Arena to begin play in the Husky Invitational.

Sophomore setter Kylie Munday was the difference in that stirring mid-set surge, capping the run with three straight kills. Her 56 assists helped USD (4-3, 0-0 WCC) hit .278 as a team as it dealt Arizona (6-2, 0-0 Big 12) its second defeat of the season by scores of 31-29, 25-19, 20-25, 20-25, and 16-14. Nemo Beach (17 kills), Isabel Clark (16 kills), and Kali Engeman (15 kills) led the way on offense, while Olivia Bennett (21 digs) and Maya Kitna (six blocks) held it down on defense.

Leading 2-0 entering the third set, it appeared San Diego was well on its way to its second sweep of the season. But the Wildcats fought back, winning back-to-back 25-20 decisions to force a decisive fifth and final frame. USD and UA battled back and forth to begin set five before Reese Bates checked in and notched back-to-back service aces to give her team a three-point lead and force an Arizona timeout. That San Diego advantage held until UA rallied to tie the score at 14-14, and the Toreros took a timeout of their own.

A Wildcat service error and a clutch combo block from Engeman and Munday ensued, sealing a 3-2 victory for USD in Seattle that snapped a three-match losing streak.

NOTABLE

• Munday (56 assists, 10 digs), and Clark (16 kills, 10 digs) both recorded double-doubles.
• Engeman added three blocks, and Munday added six kills and three service aces.
• Freshman Ava Durgan achieved her first four college kills.

UP NEXT
The Toreros are back in action tomorrow, when they take on tournament host Washington to conclude the Husky Invitational. First serve at Alaska Airlines Arena is set for 2 p.m.