University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
0-1,0-0Big East
University of Georgia
1-0,0-0SEC
Huskies Fall to Georgia in Season Opener
8/25/2023 8:17:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
ATHENS, GA - In the first match of the season, the UConn women's volleyball team fell to the University of Georgia in three sets. Sophomore Emma Werkmeister led the way for the Huskies, finishing the night with 10 kills.
UConn kept pace with Georgia and pushed them throughout the game but the bulldogs who were picked fourth in the SEC preseason coaches' poll would outlast the Huskies.
The Huskies got off to a hot start against the Georgia jumping out to an early 6-1 lead. UConn used a combination of strong defense and serving to slow down the bulldog's powerful attack. UConn could only keep Georgia at bay for so long as the bulldogs would fight their way back into the match and heading into the first media timeout would trail the Huskies by three points. Graduate student Cera Powell and sophomore Emma Werkmeister were a steady presence on the court for the Huskies combining for eight kills in set one.
The two teams continued to battle late in the set both trading points. UConn eventually took a 23-22 lead following a 4-0 scoring run led by Doga Kutlu but following a Georgia timeout, the bulldogs would battle back and end up taking set one by a final of 25-23.
Georgia used the momentum gained from set one to take an early lead in the second set, but the Huskies did not go away without a fight. Senior Karly Berkland put her body on the line, keeping plays alive and helping UConn chip away at the bulldog's lead. UConn eventually took a 15-13 lead heading into the media timeout behind a strong performance from Doga Kutlu and Emma Werkmeister. Like the first set, Georgia battled back and eventually took a 21-19 lead forcing a UConn timeout. Coming out of the timeout, the bulldog's frontline would stifle the UConn attack as the bulldogs would block their 10-attack attempt of the night to help them close out the second set and take the 2-0 lead.
Georgia continued to build momentum into the third set. The bulldogs came out firing and built an early seven-point lead over the Huskies. From there Georgia did not look back as they went on to win the third set convincingly by a final of 25-_ and take the match 3-0.
Sophomore Emma Werkmeister finished the match with 10 kills, while Cera Powell finished with seven, and sophomore Ayva Cebollero finished with 10 assists. UConn will be back in action tomorrow as they will take on Western Carolina University at 2:30pm.
