VILLANOVA, Pa. - The Villanova University women's volleyball team heads to the U.S. Naval Academy for three matches this weekend. The Wildcats will open with Dartmouth on Friday at 3:00 p.m. then play a double header on Saturday against Alabama at 1:00 p.m. and Navy at 7:00 p.m. which can be watched online.
In previewing the weekend head coach Josh Steinbach said, "We are looking forward to it. It will be a fun weekend. Excited to be playing against Dartmouth and head coach Gilad Doron who used to coach at Villanova. Saturday will be a tough test against two good teams with Alabama and Navy so we are looking forward to that challenge."
Villanova started the season last weekend with a 3-0 record at the Delaware Classic where they defeated La Salle, Morgan State and Delaware.
Junior libero Regan Lough was named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll for her performance at the Delaware Classic. Lough had 66 digs over the weekend including 34 digs against Delaware.
Senior middle blocker Amanda Pedersen-Henry led the attack with 33 kills including double digit kills in all three matches. Freshman outside hitter Sanaä Barnes led the Wildcats with 16 kills in the 3-1 victory at Delaware.
Dartmouth
The Wildcats will be the first opponent the Big Green will face in 2018. Last season Dartmouth finished with a record of 10-13 and 6-8 in the Ivy League. The Big Green return 12 players from last year and are predicted to finish seventh in the Ivy League this season.
Alabama
The Crimson Tide are currently 3-0 after opening against Western Kentucky, Missouri State and College of Charleston. They return 11 players from last year with six newcomers. Alabama is currently receiving votes in the AVCA top 25 after their play last weekend.
Navy
Navy is 2-1 on the season with their lone loss at Penn State. Last year they finished with a record of 23-8 and 12-4 in the Patriot League. Navy is predicted to finish second in the Patriot League for 2018.
The Wildcats' home opener is next week on Friday September 7th against Utah at 7:00 p.m. for the Villanova Classic. The next day the Wildcats will play High Point before concluding the Villanova Classic on Sunday at Temple.
