Sept. 30, 2011
Box Score | Steinbach Post-Match Interview | Andersen Post-Match Interview
VILLANOVA, Pa. - Villanova remained perfect in BIG EAST play after defeating West Virginia in straight sets, 3-0 (25-14, 25-23, 25-23) on Friday evening at Jake Nevin Fieldhouse.
Junior Morgan Petkovich led the Wildcats (11-5, 3-0 BIG EAST) with 15 kills, while junior Krista Andersen connected on 12 kills and just two errors to hit .303. Senior Maggie Mergen added 10 kills.
Freshman Allie DiBernardo dished out a match-high 38 assists, while senior Kim Maroon collected 22 digs. Sophomore Mariah Henley tallied 11 digs.
For the Mountaineers (3-11, 1-2 BIG EAST) Michelle Kopecky led the squad with 11 kills, just one error and a .345 hitting percentage.
After a 5-5 tie opened the first set, the Wildcats scored four unanswered points with kills from Andersen and sophomore Carly Edwards and took a 9-5 lead. West Virginia called its first timeout as Villanova led 13-8, but would not close the gap. Petkovich connected on back-to-back kills and Mergen served an ace, which sent the Mountaineers into their final timeout. Freshman Ally Moskitis came in to serve with the Wildcats leading 21-14 and served the final four points as `Nova won, 25-14.
Villanova got on the board first in the second set and led 8-4 after an ace from Mergen. Andersen found the floor for a kill and an 11-7 lead, but the Mountaineers stormed back to close to within one point, 16-15 and the Wildcats called timeout. After the break, West Virginia tied the set at 17 each and the teams traded points back-and-forth before Mergen slammed a kill and `Nova regained a 22-20 lead. Petkovich connected on a kill for set point, 24-22, but the Mountaineers scored a point, 24-23. Petkovich responded and laid down a final kill to give Villanova a 25-23 victory.
In the third frame, the Mountaineers charged out to a 4-0 lead. Villanova came back to tie the set at 5-5, but could not pull ahead as an error kept West Virginia in front, 9-7. Andersen, sophomore Allison Williams and Edwards connected on consecutive kills, which put the Wildcats in front, 11-9 and sent WVU into a timeout. The Mountaineers trailed 20-15 into their second timeout, but went on a 5-1 run out of the break with errors from Villanova to pull to within one point, 21-20. After the Wildcats called timeout, Andersen connected on a kill for a 23-21 advantage, but an error saw the `Cats holding on to a 24-23 lead. Andersen came back for a final kill to give Villanova the 25-23 victory and sweep the match.
Villanova will Dig Pink on Sunday against Pittsburgh at 2:00 p.m. All fans are encouraged to wear pink. There will be prizes, raffles and food!
