STORRS, Conn. – The University of Connecticut women's volleyball team fell to DePaul in a five-set thriller over sunday afternoon, dropping their fourth game in a row. The Huskies were led by sophomore Emma Werkmeister who finished with 24 kills.
In a back and forth set one, the Huskies started strong and weathered multiple scoring runs by DePaul. UConn featured a balanced offensive attack in the first set with Cera Powell, Emma Werkmeister and Audrey Rome all finishing with four kills. The Huskies offense caught fire at the end of set, finishing on a 4-0 scoring run to win 25-19. Additionally, the Huskies defense was prominent as they finished the set with five total blocks.
DePaul did not back down after losing the first set, coming out firing from the first serve. The Blue Demons relied heavily on their defense, getting blocks on the Huskies attacks, and keeping plays alive off awkward bounces. Once again, the Huskies weathered the DePaul attack, and the two teams would trade points throughout the set. The Huskies behind a strong set from Emma Werkmeister took a 20-18 lead forcing a DePaul timeout. From there the two teams fought to reach 25 first, eventually surpassing the mark. DePaul eventually took the second set by a final of 29-27. Through two sets, sophomore Emma Werkmeister leads the Huskies with 10 points.
Using the momentum gained from set two, DePaul fought and overcame the powerful Huskies attack to win the third set by a final of 25-22. UConn's offense continued to keep it close as outside hitters, Emma Werkmeister and Cera Powell combined for 28 total kills. Through three sets, DePaul out killed UConn 46-43, but the Huskies held the edge in blocks 12-11. UConn's serving troubles showed in the third set, recording four errors in the third set.
The Huskies bounced back in set four, winning 25-17 to force a winner take all set five. Sophomore Emma Werkmeister continued to dominate, posting 20 kills through four sets. Set four was all UConn as they out-killed DePaul and continued to stay strong defensively posting six total blocks in the set. UConn jumped out to an early lead and looking to take the set and match. The Huskies offense dominated early but DePaul held strong and late in the fifth set, their defense proved to be the difference maker, silencing the UConn attack and taking the set and match. Emma Werkmeister finished the afternoon with 24 kills followed by Cera Powell with 18.
The Huskies will be back in action October 6 and 7 as they head on the road to face Villanova and Georgetown. Both games can be streamed live on Flo Sports.
