Oct. 5, 2002

Box Score

Villanova, Pa --- On Saturday October 5th, the Villanova Wildcat Volleyball team squared off against Big East rival Miami Hurricanes. Villanova fell to the still undefeated Miami team in three straight sets (30-20, 30-21, 30-28) which brings their record this season to 9-11 overall, and 0-3 in the Big East. The loss was the first of the season in the 'Cats home court of Jake Nevin Fieldhouse which brings their home record to 5-1.

Providing solid play for the Wildcats was senior outside hitter Leah Mathews (Poway, Ca./Our Lady of Peace). Leah totaled 9 kills on 21 attempts for a percentage of .429, which was a team high. On the defensive side, Celine Nguyen, a freshman outside hitter led the 'Cats with 12 digs. Nguyen (Palos Verde Peninsula, Ca.) is beginning to return to the form of her high school years since tearing her left anterior cruciate ligament in the spring.

Leading the way for the undefeated Miami Hurricanes (15-0 overall, 3-0 Big East), was sophomore Valeria Tipiana (Lima, Peru) who tallied 19 kills on 34 attempts for a .471 percentage, all of which were game highs. Mallory James (Tucson, Az.) provided 48 set assists for the Hurricanes who remain the team to beat in the Big East this season.

The next opponent for the Villanova volleyball team is the Virginia Tech Hokies who enter Jake Nevin Fieldhouse with a 9-7 record overall and 2-0 in the Big East. The match, scheduled for Sunday October 6th at 2:00 p.m., is a pivotal Big East match-up that is a must win for both teams.