Booth and Crist Lead Attack in Sweep Over Butler
Kiera Booth and Rose Crist combined for 26 kills Saturday night.
VILLANOVA, Pa.- Behind a dominant first set win, the Wildcats continued to ride the wave en route to a three-set sweet over the Butler Bulldogs. The Wildcats improve to 9-7 (1-3 BIG EAST) while the Bulldogs drop to 8-9 (2-2 BIG EAST)
"I thought we did what we needed to and it was important to get back in the win column," Villanova Volleyball Head Coach Josh Steinbach said. "Kiera (Booth) had a great night, Rose (Crist) had her best offensive night to date and I thought Belle (Morgan) set well."
Villanova set the tone early in the first set with an 12-0 run behind a pair of service aces from Clare Delaplane and a combined seven kills from Crist and Booth to lead 16-3. The lead loomed too large for Butler and Villanova took the first set, 25-12.
The Bulldogs came to play in the second set. Trailing 7-3, Butler scored three consecutive points to cut the deficit to 7-6. Despite Butler constantly remaining in striking distance, the Wildcats were able to hold a lead throughout the entire match. Trailing 24-18, the Bulldogs made a late bid by going on a 5-0 run but a kill from Booth cemented the 25-23 second set win.
As the third set began, both teams continued counter each other with points, tying 13 times. Trailing 17-14, the Wildcats answered with a 4-0 run to gain an 18-17 lead behind a trio of kills from Crist. Butler earned a point and Villanova countered with two of their own to set the score at 20-18. Butler pulled away with a 5-0 run to lead 23-20. Again, Villanova responded with a 4-1 run to tie it at 24. The Wildcats came in clutch with a 3-1 run behind a pair of kills from Booth for a 27-25 third set win and the match.
Inside the Box Score
- Booth led the Wildcats with a career-high 15 kills with four blocks and a .500 hitting percentage.
- Rose Crist added a career-high 11 kills with a .500 hitting percentage.
- Belle Morgan led the team with 27 assists.
