University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
14-6,6-2Big East
No. 19 Creighton
17-3,5-2Big East
UConn Downs No. 19 Creighton, 3-2, For First Win vs. Ranked Opponent in Program History
10/16/2021 6:32:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
STORRS, Conn. – Led by an unrelenting effort, the UConn women's volleyball team earned its first win against a ranked opponent in program history, defeating No. 19 Creighton in five sets Saturday afternoon at Gampel Pavilion.
UConn (14-6, 6-2 BIG EAST) utilized a 10-1 run in the first set to take the opening point before Creighton (17-3, 5-2 BIG EAST) secured the following two. With their backs against the wall, the Huskies took the fourth set, 25-22, before winning a dramatic fifth set, 15-12, to rewrite the record books.
The Bluejays had won 104 straight BIG EAST matchups when winning the third set until UConn broke the streak.
Senior Caylee Parker continued her outstanding play this weekend, tallying a season-high 24 kills, and added 15 digs for her third straight double-double. Graduate student McKayla Wuensch made her return to the lineup known with 46 assists, and junior Jasmine Davis also registered a double-double with 13 kills and 15 digs.
Creighton burst out of the gates with a 9-2 run before giving away six straight points on errors. Junior Jasmine Davis knotted the score at 10-all as the Huskies caught fire, reversing the scoreboard with a 17-4 streak to take the first set convincingly.
Junior Aset Baker-Falealili kept the momentum on UConn's side as a service ace pushed its early grip in the second set to 5-2. Creighton picked up steam with an 11-3 run midway through the set to pull ahead, 17-14. Parker and Davis capitalized on swings from the outside to bring the Huskies within one, but the Bluejays went on 7-1 reel down the stretch to tie the match.
The Huskies kept it close in the third set, thought Creighton led the entire duration to take control of the scoreboard, 2-1.
The fourth set switched to a back-and-forth tempo as 13 ties put the score at 18-all. Sophomore Taylor Pannell started a 5-0 run to swing the momentum, but Creighton answered right back with a 4-0 spurt. Parker gave the Huskies breathing room with her 19th kill and a Bluejay attacking error followed as the matched headed into a decisive winner-take-all set.
Junior Allie Garland and senior Kennadie Jake-Turner went for kills from the outside to give UConn an initial 2-1 edge before Creighton seized a 10-8 command. Once again, Parker sparked the Huskies with two straight kills, and junior Karly Berkland capped a 4-0 streak with an ace to put UConn back up by two. With match point on the line, Parker's swing was redirected out of bounds as the Huskies polished off their historic comeback.
UConn, now boasting a 9-1 mark at Gampel, will look to continue its tear at home as it hosts Marquette and DePaul next weekend.
