University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
12-14, 4-9AAC
USF
18-8, 7-6AAC
Huskies take season series in 3-1 victory over the Bulls
11/3/2018 3:25:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
UConn posted nine aces, tying season high
STORRS, Conn.—The UConn women's volleyball team hosted the University of South Florida on Saturday afternoon, in a 3-1 victory on Alumni Reunion Day. With this win the Huskies took the 2018 season series 2-0 against the Bulls, coinciding with the Oct. 12th come-from-behind 3-2 win in Tampa, Fla.
The Huskies not only took the first set of the day but opened the match with the first points coming on a kill from freshman Kennadie Jake-Turner. UConn fell behind early on in the set only trailing by a few points but tied it up at 5-5 thanks to a kill from senior Iman McGary. This kill propelled the Huskies to 25, as they got on a roll and never looked back. UConn kept USF pinned down in set one as they piled on kills and service aces. Five different Huskies posted kills in Jake-Turner (3), McGary (5), freshman Caylee Parker (4), senior Danielle Cabel (3), and sophomore Ally Barrett(2) while three nabbed service aces in redshirt-freshman Courtney Morris (2), Barrett (1), and McGary (1). As a team UConn ended this set hitting an impressive .316.
USF battled back in set two taking it 25-16, peeling away early from UConn around 10-8 mark.
The following two sets were the contested the most by both teams, going back-and-forth with the lead as no team could distance themselves from the other. Set Three was opened again by UConn's Jake-Turner on an assist from senior setter Emma Turner. This set would have a total of eight ties and four lead changes before the Huskies were able to wall off the Bulls at 25-23. The closing series for UConn began with a tying of the score via a Barrett kill at 22-22. McGary would add to the rally with a kill of her own, 23-22. Jake-Turner's kill would put the Huskies out ahead of the Bulls at 24-23. And, Barrett would utilize the momentum and morale to her advantage serving up an ace to take the set putting UConn up in the match at 2-1. The Huskies enjoyed a 7-0 scoring run during this set, ending at the 20-18 score mark.
Set Four echoed the previous, with both teams trading points as the lead swayed several times and tied seven different times. The final tie of the match came on a Bull's attack error at 21-21. The Huskies used this shift to their advantage, capitalizing on the moment was Cabel who volleyed a strike into Bull's territory, 22-21. Morris perfectly assisted Parker seconds later with a kill to increase the UConn lead. Parker struck again a series later, keeping the Huskies in the lead at 24-22. A UConn timeout was taken after USF was able to nab a kill, bringing them within one at 24-23. With adjustments made and assignments clarified, the Huskies exited the timeout victorious as McGary would rise to the occasion and take the match/set point.
As a team UConn edged USF out in several categories; points (75), kills (61), aces (9), assists (59), and digs (67). Kills leaders for the Huskies were Parker with 17, McGary with 15, and Cabel with 10. Sophomore Isabelle Peterson joined the UConn block party leading the way with five. The Huskies split up the assist duties between Turner (27) and Morris (23). Much like the kills category, UConn tabbed three in double-digits—Parker (16), senior Elizabeth Kline (15), and McGary (14).
Three different Huskies posted season highs in today's match. Barrett's season highs came on her nine kills, 11.5 points, two aces, and total blocks. Morris enjoyed first career kill in conjunction with 23 assists, four aces, five points, and 10 digs. Last but not least, McGary finished the match posting season highs in the assists and total blocks categories. She also tied, for the third time, her season high in kills at 15 and completed her third consecutive match with service aces.
UConn will travel to Memphis for a Nov. 9th match beginning at 9:00 p.m. Then to New Orleans to take on the Green Wave—Tulane on Nov. 11th at 2:00 p.m.
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