Oct. 9, 2009
Box Score
VILLANOVA, Pa. - It was a big defensive night for the Villanova volleyball team (13-6, 2-3 Big East) as three Wildcats tallied double figure digs in a 3-0 (25-23, 25-16, 25-15) sweep over Seton Hall, Friday evening at Jake Nevin Fieldhouse.
Sophomore Kim Maroon led the effort with 22 digs, while classmate Courtney Oertli and senior Amy Gulyas each collected 12 digs.
Oertli recorded her third double-double of the season by dishing out a match-high 30 assists.
Senior Elysse Studzinski led Villanova with 11 kills and a .391 hitting percentage.
As a team Villanova hit .268, while holding Seton Hall to just a .082 clip.
The Wildcats struggled in the first set using both timeouts early in the game, the second called with VU trailing 16-8. A 7-2 run after the break forced the Pirates to call timeout and the offensive attack continued with freshman Kristina Bither serving for four points. `Nova tied the game at 19 after a miscue from Seton Hall and took its first lead of the game at 20-19 after an error from the Pirates. SHU used its last timeout when the Wildcats took a 23-22 lead after freshman Krista Andersen connected for a kill, and the set tied again at 23-23. Another kill from Andersen and an error from the Pirates sealed a 25-23 set one win for VU.
There were nine ties in the second frame before each squad hit 10 points, but kills from Studzinski, Mergen and Gulyas helped Villanova jump ahead, 15-11 and sent Seton Hall into a timeout. The Wildcats used a 6-2 run after the break to stay in front 21-13 as the Pirates called their final timeout. Maroon served for set point with a 24-15 lead, but SHU connected for a kill before Studzinski closed the set with a kill of her own to seal the win.
Gulyas served three consecutive points, including an ace to give the `Cats an early 8-2 lead. They were able to stay ahead of the Pirates and went into a timeout with a 16-10 advantage. Oertli served with a 22-14 lead and reached match point after back-to-back errors from Seton Hall. The Pirates connected on a kill to extend their life, but sophomore Maria Nolan slammed the winning kill as `Nova won, 25-15.
Villanova will be back on the court Sunday, Oct. 11 at 2:00 p.m. to host Rutgers in BIG EAST action.
