PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Villanova volleyball suffered its second consecutive defeat Saturday afternoon, falling to Providence College in four sets (20-25, 25-19, 18-25, 20-25) inside Alumni Hall.
Campbell McKinnon delivered a stellar all-around performance to lead Villanova (12-11, 5-7 BIG EAST), tying a career high with 23 kills and picking up a career-best and team-high 15 digs to record her second double-double of the season.
Taylor Lewis added nine kills and a service ace, while
Michelle Eburuoh put down six kills in her first extended action of the season.
Alyssa Nelson guided the offense with 44 assists and collected 14 digs to record her second double-double of the weekend and 12th of the year. Defensively,
Mina Diggs reached double figures with 13 digs, while
Annika Veurink and
Chloe Kelly posted three blocks apiece at the net.
Ava Harris led Nova from the service line with a team-high two aces.
Providence seized control of the opening set midway through the frame, using a 9-0 run, highlighted by three Macy Taylor putaways and a pair of Ava Dyer service aces, to turn a 6-5 lead into a commanding 15-5 cushion heading into the first media timeout of the afternoon. The Wildcats halted the spurt with a Veurink kill and attempted to work their way back into the rhythm with a 3-0 scoring run late in the set to trim the deficit to five at 22-17. The 'Cats were able to stave off two set points late behind back-to-back kills from Eburuoh and McKinnon to close within four at 24-20, but the Friars secured the final point on a Miller McDonald kill to claim the opening frame 25-20.
The home side again grabbed control of the second frame behind three consecutive Aubrey Easterwood aces to build an early 5-1 lead. Villanova steadily fought back, staging a 4-0 run, highlighted by a joint block from Kelly and Veurink alongside two attack errors and a service error from the Friars to surge ahead 10-8. Nova continued to build momentum as it blew the set open with a 5-0 run thanks to Harris' service efforts that included two aces, two McKinnon terminations, and another Providence attack error. Villanova maintained total control down the stretch, using additional kills from McKinnon and Lewis to withstand a late Providence surge and close out the 25-19 victory, evening the match at 1-1.
The Friars continued their theme of controlling the opening moments of the sets as they took early command in the third off the back of numerous Wildcat attack errors. Villanova worked its way back into striking distance as a Providence service error, a McKinnon putaway, and a
Marikate Ritterbusch service ace cut the deficit to 11-8. The Wildcats hung around after a Friar service error and attack error alongside a putaway from Lewis to pull within one at 17-16. However, Providence answered with a decisive 4-0 surge capped by a Sophia Adkins ace to stretch its advantage to 21-16. The 'Cats were unable to get any closer, as Taylor and Easterwood combined for the final two kills to close out the 25-18 win for the Friars.
Villanova built an early 6-3 lead in what would be the match's final set following a 4-0 run thanks to kills from McKinnon and Lewis to go along with two Providence attack errors. The Friars rallied to tie the set at 9-9 before a Lewis putaway and a service ace briefly pushed the Wildcats back ahead at 11-9. The hosts answered with a 5-0 scoring run, spurred by two McDonald aces to take a 14-11 advantage. The 'Cats remained within striking distance, using a successful challenge and back-to-back McKinnon kills to trim the deficit to one at 17-16 and force a Friar timeout. However, Providence responded with a 5-1 push, capped by a Lyric Berry kill to open up a 22-17 cushion. Nova staved off two match points on an Ava Dyer service error and a McKinnon putaway to close within four at 24-20, but a Villanova service error on the following point handed the Friars the 25-20 set victory and the 3-1 match decision.
UP NEXT: Villanova returns to Jake Nevin Field House next weekend when it hosts Marquette and DePaul for its final homestand of the season. First serve against the Golden Eagles is set for 5 p.m. on Friday.
