Aug. 29, 2009
Box Score
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Villanova volleyball team finished its opening weekend with a perfect record as it completed the Maryland Invitational with a 3-0 (25-20, 25-21, 25-15) sweep over host squad Maryland on Saturday evening.
Sophomore Morgan Petkovich was named tournament MVP with classmates Maggie Mergen and Kim Maroon earning a spot on the all-tournament squad.
"This was a great place to start for us," head coach Josh Steinbach said. "It was good to get a win on the road against a good team. We played better as the weekend went on and we look to build from this start. "
Mergen had a match-high 14 kills to lead the Wildcats, while Petkovich and freshman Krista Andersen had 12 kills apiece. Petkovich added 12 digs for her first double-double of the season
Maroon collected 23 digs, while senior Chelsea Graman gave out 38 assists.
The Wildcats trailed 8-5 in the opening set, but back-to-back kills from Petkovich spurred a 7-1 run as VU took a 12-9 lead and forced the Terps to call timeout. After the break, Villanova pushed its lead to 18-13 with Maryland using its last timeout. Consecutive kills from Maryland saw them close to 23-19, but a kill from Mergen gave VU a 25-20 win.
Villanova opened the second frame with a lead and held on to push it to 13-9 after a kill from Petkovich. Maryland called timeout and closed to 13-11 after the break. A 5-0 run from the Wildcats sent the Terps into a second timeout trailing, 18-11. Andersen slammed a kill to stay in front, 20-15, but consecutive kills from Maryland sent VU to the sidelines with its lead cut to just three points. Mergen connected on three kills in the final four points, including taking set point.
Villanova once again took a quick lead holding on to an early 10-4 advantage. Maryland scored four points to close within three points and sent the Wildcats into a timeout. After the break Petkovich served VU into a 7-1 run that extended the lead to 18-10 and sent Maryland to the sidelines. Mergen connected on two kills as the Terps used their last timeout trailing 23-13. A kill from Petkovich set up match point and a consecutive kill sealed the victory.
The Wildcats will return to the court on Tuesday, September 1 as they travel to Long Island. The match will begin at 7:00 p.m.
