Aug. 30, 2008

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - The Villanova volleyball team made quick work of Lafayette on Saturday, Aug. 30 in the second day of the La Salle Invitational at Tom Gola Arena.

The Wildcats came away with a 3-0 (25-18, 25-20, 25-10) victory over the Leopards as senior Dana Tartazky notched a team-high 11 kills. Junior Chelsea Graman and freshman Courtney Oertli dished out 19 and 11 assists respectively, while Tartazky collected nine digs for the match.

Villanova hit .394 as a team with just two errors in set one. After a 3-3 tie in the beginning of the first set, `Nova went on a 7-3 run and took a 10-6 lead after back-to-back errors from Lafayette. A kill from the Leopards closed the score to just a one point Villanova lead, 11-10, but the `Cats scored three unanswered points to hold a 14-10 lead. Lafayette threatened one last time to pull within one point at 16-15, but VU finished the first set strong to end on a 9-3 run and earn the first set victory, 25-18.

Lafayette took control early in the second set, jumping to an 11-6 lead, but the Wildcats attacked to go on an 8-3 run and tie the score at 14 apiece. A kill from freshman Maria Nolan tied the set again at 18 each and VU was able to finish the set strong, with a 7-2 run, ending the second set with a 25-20 victory.

Set three belonged to Villanova after being tied, 6-6, early in the set. Freshman Maggie Mergen served five consecutive points to give the `Cats a 13-8 lead. In front 17-9, freshman Laurie McNamara served six consecutive points for VU and the Wildcats were able to close out the set following two errors from the Leopards. Set three ended with a 25-10 Villanova victory as they hit a blistering .480 with just two errors.

The Wildcats are back on the court at 4:30 p.m. as they face Rider on the last day of competition at the La Salle Invitational.