Oct. 28, 2011
Box Score
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. - Juniors Morgan Petkovich and Krista Andersen recorded 14 and 10 kills, respectively as the Villanova volleyball team (15-9, 7-3 BIG EAST) swept Rutgers 3-0 (25-13, 25-23, 25-20) on Friday evening at the College Ave. Gym.
Petkovich had just two errors to hit .444 and added nine digs. Senior Maggie Mergen tallied nine kills with just two errors.
Freshman Allie DiBernardo dished out 38 assists, while senior Kim Maroon collected 15 digs.
Villanova jumped out to an 11-4 lead in the first set before the Scarlet Knights called timeout. Andersen connected on back-to-back kills as the Wildcats extended their lead to 16-6. DiBernardo served consecutive aces for a 23-12 lead and Petkovich found the floor for a kill and set point before Villanova won the set 25-13 after an error from Rutgers.
The teams traded points back-and-forth early in the second set before the Wildcats went on a 5-2 run and led 18-15. After a timeout from Rutgers, Petkovich and Andersen slammed kills as Villanova led 21-18. The Scarlet Knights scored three unanswered points to tie the score at 21 apiece, but the `Cats responded to earn set point 24-22 after a kill from Mergen. The Knights pulled to within one point, 24-23, but Petkovich connected on a final kill to win the set.
In the third frame Petkovich connected on back-to-back kills as the Wildcats led 7-3. Andersen and senior Maria Nolan slammed kills for a 15-10 advantage and a kill from sophomore Carly Edwards forced Rutgers into a timeout trailing 17-12. DiBernardo and Petkovich found the floor on kills, but the Knights came back to pull within three points, 23-20 and Villanova called timeout. After the break, Maroon served an ace to win the set and the match.
As a team, Villanova combined to hit .295 with just 13 errors. The Wildcats will conclude the weekend on Sunday at Seton Hall. The match is slated to begin at 2:00 p.m.
