Box Score Villanova, Pa. – The Villanova Wildcats (9-2) closed out the Villanova Classic in dominant fashion as they beat Delaware (8-3) in straight sets Saturday night.
 
Another loud crowd in Jake Nevin Fieldhouse were brought to their feet throughout the night due to big kills from Sanaä Barnes and Mallory Potts, and relentless effort from the whole team, especially Regan Lough who laid out on multiple occasions to keep the ball up.
 
"It was a good weekend for us," head coach Josh Steinbach said. "We got a couple of wins against quality teams and hopefully got us ready for next weekend. Mallory had a great weekend. Sanaä had a great weekend. I thought Regan played really well and our senior setter was excellent moving the ball around. If we do stuff like that we're tough to beat."
 
After the first point of the match was a Delaware ace, Villanova turned on the gas, and quickly took the lead to 11-4. Clare Delaplane recorded an ace during the run, her first of two on the evening and nine for the team. Villanova had all the cushion it needed to close out the first set 25-17. Barnes finished the first set with a team-high five kills.
 
The momentum gained from that early run was able to carry through the rest of the match. The Wildcats took another early lead and never looked back in the second, winning 25-17. Potts stepped up big in the second set with five kills and a block. Villanova also got a lift from Emily Curtis, who checked in and recorded an ace with her first serve.
 
The third set was another runaway win for Villanova, and gave an opportunity for some players to enter the match for the first time during the weekend. Maddie Schieder made a big impact with back-to-back aces shortly after checking in, and Olivia Brown recorded kills on the last two points of the match to close it out 25-10.
 
Villanova was led by Potts with 12 kills, and Barnes and Sophia Howling with 8 each. Seven players had two or more kills thanks to Emma Decker spreading the ball around to finish with 30 kills. Lough had a match-high 19 digs.
 
The win over Delaware concludes non-conference play. Villanova will next travel to No. 15 Creighton.
 
"We start with the three or four or five or however many times they've won it in a row Crieghton," Coach Steinbach said. "Creighton has been the marker for the league. We've got to play at their place; it's a tough environment and it's a long trip. We are excited to get started with them and measure ourselves quickly. I think they're the ones we've graded ourselves against and are setting ourselves up to beat. I have a lot of respect for them and it should be a fun one for us."
 
The Wildcats will take on the Bluejays Friday, September 27 at 7 p.m.
 
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