University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
12-5,4-1Big East
Villanova
10-8,2-4Big East
Huskies Earn Gritty 3-1 Win at Villanova
10/8/2021 9:22:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
VILLANOVA, Pa. – Continuing its hot start in conference play, the UConn women's volleyball team rallied to take last three sets for a 3-1 victory over Villanova Friday night at Finneran Pavilion.
With the win, UConn (12-5, 4-1 BIG EAST) has won six of its last seven matches, and is off to its first 4-1 start in BIG EAST action since 2009.
Senior Caylee Parker was on a mission, leading all players with a season-high 18 kills on a .368 hitting percentage. Junior Jasmine Davis also reached double-digit kills with 10, while junior Madi Whitmire provided 38 assists to go with 13 digs. Senior Kennadie Jake-Turner went for seven block assists and junior Allie Garland contributed on five blocks.
Sophomore Taylor Pannell got the game going with a pair of kills as the Huskies and Villanova (10-8, 2-4 BIG EAST) went back and forth. Tied 11, the Wildcats started to pull away and closed the set by taking the last five points.
Parker took the game over in the ensuing frame, lining 10 kills on a blistering .833 hitting percentage. Leading 17-14, Parker went for six kills down the stretch as the Huskies evened the score.
Villanova nudged out a 14-11 grip in the third set until the Huskies turned the tempo around, as junior Mia Ruffolo placed back-to-back aces as part of a 4-0 run to swing the scoreboard. The Wildcats answered and took the lead, 23-20, but Parker added another kill before Villanova committed two straight attacking errors for the sixth tie of the set. Facing set point, Garland extened the set with a kill, another Wildcat attacking error followed, and Ruffolo secured the frame with her fourth ace of the match.
Down 17-12 in the fourth stanza, Davis ripped a trio of kills as part of a 7-2 streak to get the Huskies back in the game and even the score at 19-19. Each squad exchanged points as the score remained knotted at 22-all until the Huskies earned the final three points to win their second straight road contests.
UConn will remain on the road as it heads to Georgetown for a 5 p.m. start time on Saturday, Oct. 9
