University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
2-5,0-0Big East
Utah
6-2,0-0Pac-12
Huskies Finish 1-1 Saturday at San Diego Invitational
9/10/2022 11:36:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
SAN DIEGO, California – UConn women's volleyball closed out the San Diego Invitational with a loss verse Utah and a five-set victory over SMU.
In the three-game tournament senior Caylee Parker led UConn with 39 kills while senior Karly Berkland would finish with 51 total digs. Over the course of the tournament 5 Huskies finished with double digit kills, while three set season highs in kills.
MATCH 1: Utah 3, UConn 1 (20-25, 25-20, 25, 14-25, 18-25)
The Huskies began the day with a tough matchup vs. Utah. UConn and Utah would trade blows throughout the first set. Senior Caylee Parker would keep UConn within striking distance throughout the game, as she would finish with a season high 17 kills.
UConn would hang tough with Utah never allowing more than a four-point lead. Eventually a three-point run by the Utes would give them just enough distance to close out set one by a final of 25-20.
The Huskies would bounce back in set two as they would continue to trade blows with Utah until a four-point swing would force Utah to take a timeout trailing 18-15. From there UConn would not look back as Caylee Parker and Jasmine Davis would form lethal duo extending UConn's lead until they would take the set by a final of 25-20.
Utah would come out firing in set three jumping out to a 9-1 lead forcing UConn to call a timeout. Coming out of the timeout the Utah would not let up extending their lead to 20-10 before taking the set by a final of 25-14.
In the fourth set, UConn would continue to fight and give Utah all they could handle. UConn would trade blows with the Utes but ultimately would fall short and lose the set by a final of 25-18.
Caylee Parker finished with 17 kills while Taylor Pannell finished with 9 total kills.
Match 2: UConn 3, SMU 2 (25-23, 26-28, 25-19, 15-25,15-12)
The Huskies would obtain their first win of the San Diego Invitational with a thrilling five set victory over former AAC foe SMU.
UConn would come out firing as Jasmine Davis and Taylor Pannell would get the Huskies started with multiple kills and an ace. UConn and SMU would continue to trade points until a three-point run by the mustangs would force UConn to take a timeout trailing 19-16. Coming out of the timeout, UConn would respond from the likes of Caylee Parker, Allie, Garland, and Kennadie Jake-Turner to eventually retake the 23-22 lead. From there the Huskies would capitalize off two SMU mistakes and take set one 25-23.
Set two would be a lengthy battle for both teams, ending with SMU taking the set by a final of 28-26. Caylee Parker and Jasmine Davis would continue to dominate on the attack combining for 10 total kills in set 2.
UConn and SMU would split the next two sets with UConn taking set three by a final of 25-19 and SMU taking set four by a final of 25-15. In the two sets, UConn would combine for a total of 30 kills, with five Huskies reaching double digit kills. Senior Madi Whitmire and Karly Berkland would continue to be a steady presence on both sides as Whitmire would have 37 assists through four sets, and Berkland would finish with 23 digs.
The Huskies would head into a winner take all fifth set, their first time this season going to five sets. The Huskies would come out the gate firing and never look back as they would take home the set and victory by a final of 15-12.
Jasmine Davis would finish the match with 16 total kills setting a new season high and giving the Huskies their third win overall.
UP NEXT
UConn will return home and prepare for their upcoming tournament the Dog Pound Challenge. The Dog Pound Challenge will kick off Friday September 16 and finish that Saturday September 17.
