Oct. 13, 2002

Box Score

Villanova, Pa. - Villanova women's volleyball welcomed Notre Dame to Jake Nevin Field House, Sunday October 13, for a Big East showdown. The match was incredibly high paced and in the end the 'Cats fell to the Irish three sets to one (30-25, 28-30, 30-28, 30-17). Villanova appeared to run out of steam against Notre Dame, who sits atop the Big East with a 6-0 conference record, for they gave the Irish all they could handle in the first three sets. The Wildcats now stand at 10-13 overall and 1-5 in the Big East.

In the first game the Fighting Irish surged ahead with their high powered attack and took a commanding lead 8-2. 'Nova appeared intimidated at first, but appearances can be deceiving and they stormed back during the first game to come as close as four points. During this resurgence the 'Cats were led by sophomore Jenny Badran-Grycan (Santa Monica, Ca./Palisades) who tallied two emotional kills and contributed numerous assists and digs. Overall, Jenny totaled two kills, 26 assists, and 11 digs to record her fourth double-double of the season.

The second game saw the Wildcats take charge and win 30-28 behind multiple punishing kills from Kerri Sullivan and quality all-around defense from the whole squad. Sullivan (Downers Grove, Ill./South) was the most efficient of the 'Cats, with 13 kills on 33 attacks for a .273 percentage. Notre Dame played the second game without their standout sisters, Jessica and Kristen Kinder, who were sorely missed much for their enthusiasm and powerful serves. Nevertheless, the 'Cats dominated the second game with the Irish left wondering if they would leave Jake Nevin Field House with their first Big East loss of the season.

As the match continued Villanova seemed to run out of gas. The third game saw the Wildcats lose a close and hard fought game with many rallies seesawing back and forth. After the emotionally draining final three points of the game the Wildcats seemed to lose the spark that won them the second game. Notre Dame sensing this went in for the kill in the fourth and final game. The 'Cats mustered one final comeback in the fourth game but the Fighting Irish answered with a point streak of their own taking the game 30-17.

Next up for the Wildcats is a trip to Manhattan to take on Manhattan College and St. Peter's College on October 19. The trip will mark the start of four consecutive matches away from beloved Jake Nevin Field House. The next home game for the 'Cats is on October 30 against the Princeton Tigers in non-league action.