Indianapolis – It was a big night for Villanova volleyball in Indianapolis, picking up a five-set victory over Butler that featured a record achievement, a career high and a program milestone.
 
Villanova went into Hinkle Fieldhouse without ever having won there; the Wildcats were 0-6 in the building since Butler joined the BIG EAST in 2013. That changed tonight, when Villanova notched its second five-set victory of the season, and it's first since just the second match of the year against High Point.
 
During the third set, Regan Lough picked up her 1,721^st career dig. The senior libero moved past Elizabeth Jones into second-place in program history. By the end of the match, Lough had compiled 24 digs, her third most in a match this season. Emma Decker also had a huge night, dishing out 49 assists, good for her second-highest mark this season.
 
The first set made it look like it might be a repeat of each previous trip to Indianapolis, with Butler making quick work of the Wildcats. Villanova trailed 12-8, but managed to cut the lead to just one after a timeout. The turning point in the set came when Nova had a chance to tie the match, but lost a long rally. From there, Butler went on a run to take the set 25-17.
 
In the second set, the Wildcats found their stride. After a close start and trailing 11-10, Nova rattled off a five straight points as part of a larger 9-3 run to take their first sizeable lead of the match. Butler cut it to 23-21 late, but the veterans Mallory Potts and Allie Olsonoski polished off the set with a kill each to even the match at 1-1. Decker orchestrated the offense beautifully in the second set, dishing out 15 assists.
 
Villanova then dropped the third set in a close one. Butler led for most of the set, but Villanova refused to go quietly. Four late points by the Wildcats cut the lead to 24-22. Nova then had two good swings with a chance to cut it to just one, but neither could find the hardwood and Butler closed it out 25-22.
 
The fourth set was tight the entire way. Fortunately for the 'Cats, freshman Kathleen Johnson decided to take over. Johnson notched eight kills in the set, including the last two points, to give Nova a 25-22 edge and force a fifth set. Johnson's previous match-high in kills was 10 against North Dakota on Sept. 6, and her only BIG EAST action was just a single set against Providence. By the end of the match tonight, she had a new career-high of 11.
 
Villanova would not be denied its first Victory in Indianapolis in a fifth set. The Wildcats came out hot, and jumped up 9-3 quickly, a six-point lead that felt even bigger in the shortened set. Villanova benefited from some Bulldog miscues late, with the last six Villanova points all coming on errors. Villanova took the final set 15-8.
 
"Huge win for us," head coach Josh Steinbach said. "Gutted a tough road win out and I'm proud of how hard we played all night. Kathleen was fantastic off the bench. Regan, Anna [Morse] and Sarah [Allman] were great on D and we got just enough offense to win."
 
Villanova's offense was led by Decker's 49 assists, double-digit kills from Delaplane (14), Johnson (11) and Howling and Olsonoski (10 each). Four Wildcats also finished with double digit digs as Lough led with 24, Delaplane had 13 and Allman and Decker each had 12.
 
Villanova now has a quick turnaround, as they'll head to Cincinnati to take on the Xavier Musketeers tomorrow night at 6 p.m.