Nov. 10, 2002
Box Score
Villanova, Pa. - Villanova volleyball is firing on all cylinders with a 3-0 win over visiting Boston College. The Wildcats looked unstoppable at times and took the three set victory, 30-19, 31-29 and 30-20. With the win Villanova returns to .500 volleyball as they improve to 16-16 on the season and 5-6 in the Big East.
The game played at Jake Nevin Field House on November 10, marked the last home match of the season. For the senior 'Cats this would be their last time to compete on their home floor and the win made Senior Day even more special. Leah Mathews (Poway, Ca./Our Lady of Peace), Erin Birunas (Lancaster, Pa./Hempfield) and Sylvia Taggert (North Richland Hills, Tx./Richland) were honored before the game and played their hearts out throughout just as they did their entire careers on the Main Line.
It was a pair of sophomores, Kerri Sullivan (Downers Grove, Ill./South) and Katie Lanting (Loveland, Co./Dawson), who the Eagles could not contain. Lanting had an outstanding match with 13 kills and three errors on 33 attempts for an attack percentage of .370. It was her defense that was most impressive as she had five blocks leaving the Eagles with no choice but to try and avoid Lanting when they went on the offensive. Sullivan had a stellar day herself with 19 kills for a .455 attack percentage as she had her most efficient match of the season.
Erin Birunas played with a smile on her face the entire match as she notched 12 kills before friends and family at Jake Nevin. Leah Mathews also seemed to enjoy the team's effort and added 7 kills of her own with 11 digs. Sophomore Jenny Badran-Grycan (Santa Monica, Ca./Palisades) electrified the crowd in the third game with two powerful service aces in a row on her way to four total and a double-double with 23 assists and 10 digs.
The 'Cats head to New Jersey next weekend for a battle with Seton Hall on November 16 and Rutgers on the 17. Villanova will look to keep their winning ways going as they have won five of their last six. Those matches close out the season and the 'Cats are close to finishing above .500 for the first time since 1997 when they went 20-9.
