University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
11-8, 3-3
USF
13-6, 2-4
UConn evens overall series against USF on the road
10/12/2018 9:54:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
The thrilling match ended in a five set, 3-2 victory
TAMPA, Fla.—The Huskies (11-8, 3-3 AAC) are on a two-game business trip to the sunshine state, with their first stop against the University of South Florida Bulls (13-6, 2-4 AAC). USF entered the night holding the overall series 10-9 over UConn, but the Huskies have evened the series at 10-10.
UConn took the match straight to USF in the opening set, withholding nothing, especially their offensive energy. Senior Emma Turner set the pace for set one as she nabbed the first kill of the night. As the match proceed on the Huskies fell behind Bulls but after tying up the contest several times, they would take set 1 with a score of 25-20. All thanks to a series of kills by Turner and freshman Caylee Parker, in addition to an attack error forced by Elizabeth Kline. These acts would nullify USF's attempts to rally.
UConn etched their name on the scoreboard first in every set that followed except the fifth; Parker's kill in the second, redshirt-senior Danielle Cabel's kill in the third, and sophomore Isabelle Peterson in the fourth.
The second set drop by the Huskies came after a late but aggressive UConn rally in which they pushed the Bulls to 25-20. The third set teetered back-and-forth, seeing it tie seven times. UConn stayed with USF never really allowing them to gain much distance until the final four plays for the Bulls, stretching themselves to a 27-21 lead. The Huskies regrouped in their fourth set victory of 25-22. UConn matched USF's 18 point and never looked back as a pair Peterson kills led them there. Senior Iman McGary and freshman Kennadie Jake-Turner joined in on the fun as Cabel sealed the set.
The Huskies forced a decisive fifth set and inevitably took the match 3-2, in the final set race to 15 points. Five different UConn players were at the center of the offensive action; Parker nabbed four kills, freshman Anna Petrova added two of her own, Peterson's provided a service ace and a kill, McGary supplied two kills, in addition to Jake-Turners kill. The Bulls didn't help themselves out on the defensive end, actually providing the Huskies points via a bad set and multiple errors.
Head coach Kris Grunwald stated, "Well it wasn't pretty at times but it was a great push when things mattered most." He continued, "This is our third conference road win in a raucous environment, so that shows a lot of growth and grit from this team."
Parker led both teams in total points (26) and kills (25) on the night. Kline hit an impressive 1.000 and maintained that percentage throughout the night followed by Peterson who clipped .615. Turner continues her domination in the assist column, dishing out 43 during the contest. Four Huskies nabbed service aces; Peterson (2), Turner (1), McGary (1), and redshirt-freshman Courtney Morris (1).
Defensively, it was just as an impressive night for UConn. Three Huskies tabbed double-digit digs in Kline (15), Parker (13), and Turner (12). The team also had success blocking with Peterson leading the way with four, Jake-Turner adding 3, as Turner and Parker provided two a piece.
UConn edged out USF in six different overall categories; points, kills, total attacks, assists, digs, and solo blocks.
The Huskies will look to carry this momentum into game two of their Florida road trip in Orlando against UCF at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 14th. UConn will return to Gampel Pavilion on Oct. 19th and 21st to host Tulane and Memphis.
