Villanova, Pa. – Villanova took down Xavier in straight sets Thursday night to win its first home BIG EAST match of the season. Villanova has now defeated the Musketeers in straight sets in back-to-back matches dating back to last season.
 
Villanova was led by Emma Decker's 38 assists, good for 12.66 assists per set. The senior spread the ball to Allie Olsonoski with a team-high 12 kills as well as Sanaä Barnes with 10 and Clare Delaplane with 9. Olsonoski continued her efficient play hitting .400 in the match. Regan Lough tallied 15 digs while Emma Decker posted 10, one shy of her season high and a career-best for a three-set match.
 
The Wildcats got off to a slow start trailing early in the first set. It was close much of the way and Xavier built an 18-16 lead. Villanova then hit the gas and rattled off five straight points to take a 21-18 lead. After Xavier knotted it again at 21, Nova won four of the next five points to win the first set 25-22 and set the tone for the rest of the match.
 
The second set was a all Wildcats. Villanova won 25-15 and got contributions all around. The final four kills for Villanova in the set were provided by four different Wildcats.
 
The final set went similar to the third, with Villanova taking an early 4-1 lead and never looking back. The first two points created some real momentum with Barnes getting a huge kill and Olsonoski perfectly placing a serve for an ace. The Wildcats never trailed in the final set as they closed it out 25-18.
 
Good win at home, especially good to win in three sets when you have to play Friday and Saturday." Head coach Josh Steinbach said. "I thought Emma was outstanding delivering the ball. We got a lot of good looks and our middles were really good. It's good to win the first set when we didn't play really well. We've got a big one tomorrow, and we've got to get ready for Butler."
 
Villanova returns to action tomorrow night, taking on the Butler Bulldogs at 7 p.m. back in Jake Nevin Fieldhouse.