Providence, RI – Villanova volleyball (10-3, 1-1) got back in the win column to pick up its first BIG EAST win in a four-set victory at Providence (5-10, 0-2) Sunday afternoon.
"Road wins are not easy, so it's good to get one," said head coach
Josh Steinbach. "I thought our middles did a good job offensively and we served much better. We will have to improve for next weekend, but we got this one that we needed."
The Wildcats got off to a slow start and allowed the Friars to take a 16-10 lead in the first set. After that, it was all Wildcats, who stormed back to take the set 25-23.
Villanova bottled that momentum and didn't let up in the second, taking the set in dominant fashion, 25-12. The second set allowed
Anastasia Galanou and
Kathleen Johnson to each get some playing time, and Johnson was able to pick up a kill in the set.
Providence turned the tables on the Wildcats in the third set. After taking another 16-10 lead, they didn't relinquish it that time and held on to take the set 25-18.
Allie Olsonoski did her best to keep Villanova in it, notching five kills and an ace in the third.
Even as Villanova closed it out in the fourth set, Providence wouldn't go quietly. The Friars went point-for-point for much of the set with the Wildcats and kept it tied all the way to 16-16. Villanova then put together a clutch 6-1 run to help put the set and the match away. The Wildcats were able to take the final set 25-20.
Olsonoski led the way with 10 kills, followed by
Clare Delaplane with nine. Three other Wildcats recorded seven or more kills.
Emma Decker turned in her usual stellar performance with 36 assists and added 10 digs. Lough led the team in digs with 14.
Villanova hit .254 for the match and held Providence to just .184. The Wildcats had eight aces in the match thanks to three each from Lough and Delaplane.
Villanova returns to action Friday at 6 p.m. against Xavier, followed by another home match Saturday at 7 p.m. against Butler.
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