VILLANOVA, Pa.-Coming into Friday night's match, Villanova was riding a three-match losing streak to Providence. After a solid performance in all phases of the game, the Wildcats flipped the script and defeated the Friars in four sets.

"We've lost three in a row to Providence and we really wanted to beat them tonight," Villanova Volleyball Head Coach Josh Steinbach said. "The team played better as the night went on and I'm just glad that we got the win."

The Wildcats (15-12, 7-8 BIG EAST) beat out the Friars (15-13, 3-12 BIG EAST) in total kills, blocks, digs and assists throughout the match.

Trailing 12-10 in the first set, Villanova went on a 6-0 run powered by a pair of kills from Madeline Barber and Sanaa Barnes for a 16-12 lead. The Friars were quick to counter and a 6-0 run of their own shifted the score in Providence's favor, 19-17. Tied at 20, Providence went on a 4-2 run with set point but a kill from Barber cut the deficit to 24-23. The Wildcats were unable to stop Providence when Allison Barber registered a kill for the 25-23 first set win.

Villanova came out of the gates hot in the second set, leading 8-3 with a pair of kills from Barnes. Providence was able to find their rhythm and went on a 5-0 run to claim a 12-11 lead. The Wildcats peppered in some points and went on a 7-1 run with back-to-back-to-back service aces from Taryn Whittingham for a 21-17 lead. After a kill from Clare Delaplane, Villanova took the second set, 25-21.

The Friars controlled the third set early on with an 8-2 lead over Villanova. Trailing 13-7, the Wildcats rallied with a 9-1 run for a 16-14 lead. The Friars were able to cut the deficit to 19-16 but Villanova responded with six-straight points including three-straight kills from Kiera Booth for a 25-16 third set win.
 
The Wildcats didn't relinquish the lead once in the fourth set. Villanova recorded a match-high .375 attack percentage en route to a 25-16 fourth set win over Providence.

"I just thought we got better as the match went on," Steinbach said. "The fact that we got better with the serve-pass game was big."

Inside the Box Score

• Barnes led the Wildcats with 12 kills with a .333 attack percentage.
• Booth (11) and Barber (10) combined for 21 kills on the night. Booth also added eight blocks against Providence.
• Averi Salvador led the team with 18 digs and four service aces.
• Andrea Campos led the Wildcats with 33 assists.

Saturday night is Senior Night for the Wildcats as they take on No. 23 Creighton at 7:00 PM.