University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
1-1,0-0Big East
Western Carolina University
0-3,0-0SoCon
Huskies Win Five-Set Thriller on Opening Weekend of 2023 Season
8/26/2023 6:46:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
ATHENS, Ga. - The University of Connecticut women's volleyball team won a five-set thriller over Western Carolina capturing their first win on opening weekend in the 2023 season Saturday afternoon.Â
With a three-set loss to Georgia Friday night, the Huskies would bounce back today against the Catamounts in grand fashion.Â
To start out the game, the Huskies would take some time to settle in. With a UConn timeout being within three at 12-9, Western Carolina would hold control of the attack heading into the middle of the set. After the second timeout for UConn, the Huskies would then put the pieces together with Cera Powell leading the offense. The Huskies would go on to take the first set, 25-21.Â
As the Catamounts came back with force in the second set, Powell would continue to hold her own. Powell finished the second set with 10 kills. For Western Carolina, sophomore Ali Morris would make her presence known by helping Western Carolina add the pressure to UConn's offense. Morris finished the second set with seven kills of her own. Western Carolina would take the second set, 25-16.Â
In a very back-and-forth matchup, the Huskies would bring the fire back in the third set. By the end of the set, Powell would tally 14 kills. On top of that, Doga Kutlu would add support to the offense dishing out 13 assists by the middle of the set. Carly Furlong would also contribute offensively with five kills at 10-8 in the set. After the second timeout for Western Carolina, the Huskies snuck by the Catamounts taking a 25-23 set score in the third.Â
The Huskies would then find the Catamounts rolling back with more aggressive play in the fourth set. Even with Mya Ayro and Taylor Pannell adding to the kill total, Western Carolina kept the pressure on. The Catamounts would ease their way to a 25-21 set score in the fourth.Â
After the first UConn timeout being down 6-2, Western Carolina would find trouble breaking away. The Huskies would storm back as Pannell would add another kill of her 11 total. In addition to Panell's 11 kills, Powell would finish with 20, and Ayro with 10. On top of that, Kutlu would contribute very effectively with 28 assists and 14 digs. UConn would wrap up the fifth and deciding set 15-13.Â
The Huskies come back for more action this opening weekend tomorrow in Georgia facing Florida State at 11 a.m. ET. Live stats can be found here.Â
