University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
14-15, 6-10AAC
Tulsa
18-10, 10-6AAC
Huskies resist Golden Hurricane
11/16/2018 10:52:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
3-0 victory on senior night
STORRS, Conn.—The UConn (14-15, 6-10 AAC) women's volleyball team withstood the Tulsa Golden Hurricane (18-10, 10-6 AAC) on route to a 3-0 victory on Senior Night. This redemptive win now puts the season series between these two teams at a 1-1 split, after the first meeting went 3-1 to Tulsa on Oct. 28th.
After gaining the momentum and rallying their way through the opening set with a 25-18 victory, the Huskies maintained a constant pressure on both sides of the court. They never let up even if trailing Tulsa. UConn went on the win the remaining sets and eventually the match with scores of 25-21 and 25-23.
How it happened…
Set 1
- The offensive and defensive aggressive presence presented by UConn outlasted any potential run from Tulsa. The Golden Hurricane would end the set hitting .135 percent.
- A Tulsa service error, kill by freshman Kennadie Jake-Turner, and service ace by sophomore Ally Barrett sent UConn on a run that sent the Golden Hurricane into a disarray, ultimately calling a timeout to reevaluate.
- However, the onslaught off points wouldn't stop from the Huskies as they nabbed two more kills; one this time from senior setter Emma Turner and another by Jake-Turner. Tulsa timeout.
- An additional kill from Jake-Turner and Turner, as well as a Golden Hurricane service error, kill by freshman Caylee Parker and Barrett would prove too much for Tulsa and propel UConn to its 25-18 Set One victory.
- The Huskies' hard work in the opening set would see them hit at 72-percent.
Set 2
- UConn had to battle through several tough spots in the following set, as Tulsa's adjustments seemed to catch them off-guard at times. However, the Huskies prevailed through the 12 ties and three lead changes.
- The final tie would come at 14 all by way of another Parker kill. The Huskies throttled the Golden Hurricane causes two impactful errors for two free points, with UConn's lead at 16-14.
- The Huskies subbed in Jake-Turner and made a run; Parker's pair of kills and UConn's defense would again rally more points to the home team's side, 19-16.
- The push for 25 went like this—kill by senior outside hitter Danielle Cabel set up by Turner, Barrett kill, Jake-Turner kill, Tulsa attack error, Tulsa service error, and a rare but effective kill by Tuner set up by senior libero/defensive specialist Elizabeth Kline.
Set 3
- UConn would tab the opening points in the thrilling final set via a Cabel kill.
- The Huskies would capitalize on the momentum, tacking on several more from Parker, Barrett, and spectacular defensive stand—block assist from Cabel and Barrett, 4-1 UConn.
- Tulsa would put on a run of their own, showcasing the modifications made during the intermission. The Huskies would take a timeout down 7-4.
- Down but not out, UConn rallied from a 20-16 deficit starting with a kill from Jake-Turner. The aggressive Husky defense forced another Golden Hurricane attack error. And senior outside hitter Iman McGary would add icing to the theoretical rally cake with a service ace. Score now 20-19. Tulsa.
- In the waning moments Turner, who amped up her role tonight, posted a kill coming from Barrett. Parker added another to her column and moments later wrapped up the match for her seniors with a strike into Tulsa territory.
The five senior played a significant role in tonight's redemption, each impacting the match in their respective ways. As a team UConn ended the night with 54 points, 43 kills, five aces, six blocks, 39 assists, and 66 digs—edging out Tulsa in every category.
Leaders for the Huskies in kills were Parker (14), Jake-Turner (9), and Turner (6). Barret led the way with several service aces while Turner and McGary each added one of their own. Cabel nabbed four blocks in addition to a pair from Parker and Barrett. Turner notched 29 assists on the night and was aided in that category by Kline (4) and Barrett (3). Kline posted another double-digit dig match concluding this one with 27 while Parker finished with 11 and Turner added 8.
Head Coach Kris Grunwald said, "As nice as the 3-0 win against Tulsa, who is obviously in the top-20 percent of the league and pretty much on the boarder of the NCAA Tournament, as nice as it is to beat them, the bigger part of the night was the seniors." He continued, "Them getting this win on senior night, for all that they've done for the program, that far and away stands out more than anything is for them to be able to go out on that note…on senior night. That was nice"
The Huskies return to Gampel on Sunday, Nov. 18th to face The Shockers of Wichita State at 11:00 a.m. The match will be in honor of Elsa, "Elsa Nocton Day", as she and the Mansfield Middle School Chorus will sing the National Anthem to begin the match.
