Newark, Del. – The 2018 Villanova University women's volleyball team started the season with a 3-0 sweep of the La Salle Explorers at the Delaware Invite.

Head coach Josh Steinbach on the victory, "Good start for us. I thought this was the best La Salle team we've played since I've been here. I thought our defensive intensity was really good.  Our freshman were composed in their first college match."

Senior middle blocker Amanda Pedersen-Henry led the Wildcats with 12 kills and six blocks. Junior libero Regan Lough had three service aces and led the team with 17 digs. She was one of four Wildcats with double digit digs. Junior setter Emma Decker dished out 36 assists. Freshman defensive specialist Anna Morse had 14 digs in her first collegiate match.

Villanova got the lead in the first set and never looked back winning it 25-11. The largest lead of the set for the Wildcats was 14.  

The Explorers were winning 17-13 in the second set but then the Wildcats rallied back to tie the match up at 20-20. It was back and forth between the two teams to see who would win the second set. The score was tied 15 times and there were nine lead changes during the set. The Wildcats won the set thanks to a kill from senior outside hitter Darcy Wolf.

Third set had two ties and two lead changes. La Salle was leading 11-8 but the Wildcats would go on a 8-0 run to lead 16-11. Villanova would continue to lead the set and clinch the match at 25-11.

Villanova's next match of the Delaware Invite is tonight at 7 p.m. against the Morgan State Bears.