Villanova, Pa. - Villanova found itself in a much more competitive contest with Georgetown Sunday night than the previous match on Friday night, but ultimately finished with the same result, as Nova took the match and swept the home-and-home 3-1.
 
The match was highlighted by senior setter Emma Decker becoming the program's all-time total assist leader. Decker set up Kathleen Johnson late in the fourth set to surpass Vicky Dispenza for the top spot in the record book with 4,124. Decker has averaged 10.35 assists/set during her career, and currently sits in ninth in the nation for total sets among active players.
 
"Emma's career has been a fantastic one for us and she is 'setting' the bar high for what we do here," head coach Josh Steinbach said. She's a competitive kid and has earned the things that she's gotten. We appreciate everything she's done for the program and love watching her play on a daily basis."
 
In a match that found Sanaä Barnes sidelined, Johnson stepped up in a huge way in her first conference start, and finished with a match-high 13 kills while hitting at an outstanding .867 clip.
 
"Kathleen came in and was unbelievable again," Coach Steinbach said. "That's two matches in a row that she has been great for us when she's played."
 
The first set felt like it might be a repeat of Friday night, as Villanova came out hot and quickly dispatched the Hoyas. Clare Delaplane had a huge first set, recording five kills on seven attacks to set the tone. Villanova used a late run to bury the Hoyas and take the opening set 25-15.
 
After four straight sets of dominant volleyball from Nova, Georgetown was able to get it going in the second set. Georgetown notched three aces in the set and held the 'Cats to hitting just .167. Villanova was never able to build any momentum to mount a comeback after trailing by as much as 19-10, and the Hoyas won the second 25-17.'
 
Georgetown was pesky again in the third set, playing Villanova close much of the way. Villanova trailed 9-6, but three quick kills from Johnson and one from Delaplane put the Wildcats ahead and finally reignited the offense. Villanova led just 16-15 after a kill from Emma Decker, but then hit the gas, pushing the lead to 22-15 thanks to an 8-0 run. The Wildcats took the third set 25-16 behind a perfect 5-5 hitting performance from Johnson in the frame.
 
Once Villanova got within one set of victory, the Wildcats quickly put it away and took the fourth and final set 25-18. Johnson was once again perfect, this time hitting 3-3 to lead the charge.
 
"I thought the match in the sense that we won went as expected," Coach Steinbach said. "In the second set they served really well and got hot and that is how you can get in trouble. Anytime you have a 2-0 weekend it's a big weekend."
 
Villanova hit above .300 in consecutive matches for just the second time this season, and the first time in conference play, in the wins over Georgetown, and posted by far the highest combined total between consecutive matches.
 
Villanova gets the week off before returning to action against BIG EAST-leading Creighton on Friday night. That match is at 7:00 p.m. and can be found on Nova Nation all-access.