VILLANOVA, Pa. – The Villanova women's volleyball team rallied back to defeat the No. 21 Utah Utes in thrilling five set match in the second game of the Villanova Classic. The Wildcats
Head coach Josh Steinbach on the victory, "It was a big win for our program. Was exciting to play an opponent like Utah at home. The crowd was great and gave our team a spark. Emma Decker played one of the best games of her career. She was able to spread the ball around at a high level. Now we get ready for a good High Point team tomorrow."
Junior setter Emma Decker had a season-high 49 assists. It was her fourth match this season with 41 or more assists.
Sophomore outside hitter Mallory Potts led the Wildcats with 15 kills with five of them coming in the second set.
The Wildcats had four players with 10 or more kills for the second time this season.
Junior libero Regan Lough had 21 digs for the game. It was her second highest dig total of the season.
It was back and forth in the beginning of the first set with the score 9-8 Utah. The Utes would then pull away from the Wildcats to lead 20-12. Utah would go on to win the opening set 25-20.
Villanova got the lead and never trailed in the second set. The Wildcats hit an impressive .538 with 14 kills and 0 errors. The largest lead for Villanova was 20-13 but Utah would rally back to make it 23-20 Villanova. The Wildcats would get the final two points from two errors by the Utes to win the set 25-20.
In the third set, it was tied at three before Utah went on a 4-0 run to make it 7-3. The Utes would then pull away to 19-10 and go on to win the set 25-16.
The Wildcats would tie the match up in the fourth set winning 25-22. During this set there were four tie scores and two lead changes. Freshman right side hitter Sanaä Barnes and senior middle blocker Amanda Pedersen-Henry both had four kills in fourth set.
Villanova led 7-3 in the final set after a pair of kills from freshman outside hitter Clare Delaplane. The Wildcats would increase their lead to 13-7 forcing Utah to call a timeout. Villanova would win the match after junior middle blocker and BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll recipient Allie Olsonoski got the final kill to complete the comeback.
Next up for the Wildcats will be the High Point Panthers on Saturday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. in Jake Nevin Field House. Villanova will then head to Temple on Sunday for the final game of the Villanova Classic.
Live stats and live stream will be available for both games this weekend.
