University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
6-10,0-5Big East
Creighton
13-3,5-0Big East
Huskies Narrowly Fall to No. 21 Creighton
10/7/2022 10:06:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
STORRS, Conn. – Senior Caylee Parker had 18 kills, 12 digs and four aces as the UConn volleyball team (6-10, 0-5) took No. 21 Creighton (13-3, 5-0) to five sets (25-23, 25-21, 15-25, 12-25, 13-15) Friday evening in Gampel Pavilion.
Senior Allie Garland had 10 kills vs. the Bluejays. Senior Kennadie Jake-Turner led UConn with eight block assists. Senior Madi Whitmire had her seventh double-double of the season with 45 assists and 10 digs.
The Huskies had 17 kills and hit .353 in the first set. Parker paced the team with six kills. UConn controlled the tempo from the start and used a 4-0 run to take a 12-8 lead. The Bluejays were tied the set, 20-20, but aces from freshman Brenna Wyman and Parker helped push UConn back ahead, 24-21. Parker hit down the set-winning kill with a touch off a Bluejay.
The set loss was Creighton's first in conference play this season.
UConn continued its momentum into the second set. The teams stayed close with one another, but Creighton had its final lead of the game at 19-17. UConn used a 4-0 run, including a pair of blocks, to pull ahead, 21-19. Whitmire had a late kill and junior Taylor Pannell put UConn at set point, 24-21. A Creighton error gave the Huskies a 2-0 match lead.
Creighton took control of the third and fourth sets, tying the match. The Huskies showed their fight in the end of the fourth set as UConn extended the game four times while the Bluejays were at set point.
Both teams brought their best to the fifth set, which featured nine ties and six lead changes. Parker had a kill and an ace to put UConn up 2-1. Jake-Turner and Parker combined for a block to tie the set, 8-8. Jake-Turner combined with Whitmire for a block to keep UConn within two, 12-10.
Creighton reached match point at 14-11 but kills from senior Jasmine Davis and Garland brought UConn within one, 14-13. The Bluejays were able to get the match-winning kill.
The Huskies return to Gampel on Saturday to host Xavier (10-5, 3-2) at 5 p.m.
