VILLANOVA, Pa. – The Villanova Wildcats took down the Santa Clara Broncos in four sets (20-25, 25-19, 25-18, 25-21) on Sunday evening, bringing the Catholic Challenge to an even draw with all three squads owning a 1-1 record.
Senior setter Andrea Campos and freshman outside hitter Abby Harrell were each named to the All-Tournament Team at the Catholic Challenge, as Campos put forth 66 assists over the two matches and Harrell totaled 27 kills and three aces across the weekend.
"We scrambled around and defended as well tonight as we have all year. Andrea was great in this match and Abby was a difference-maker for us," head coach Josh Steinbach said. "Our home fans were awesome for both games this weekend and that's a huge deal for us, so thanks to everybody that came out."
Harrell led the way for Villanova (4-2) with a match-high 19 kills as well as 12 digs for a double-double while Madeline Barber put up five blocks and 10 kills on .444 hitting. Taryn Whittingham paced the squad with 16 digs on the day and Campos contributed 42 assists and a match-high four service aces.
It was a game of runs in the opening frame as the teams traded four and five-point stretches up until Santa Clara made the last run to move the score from 19-19 to 25-20 in order to take a one set advantage.
The second stanza saw the teams mainly trading points after a 4-0 Broncos edge to start. But the Wildcats proceeded to double up SCU for the rest of the period, turning a 15-13 deficit into a 25-19 win to tie up the match. Villanova hit .344 in that set with Harrell contributing four kills in that frame alone.
Set three saw the 'Cats open with a big lead, jumping out to an advantage of 14-8 before a 5-1 Bronco run brought it within two. With some big kills from Harrell and middle blocker Kiera Booth, VU strung together some points and cruised to a 25-18 victory.
With the crowd fully behind the Wildcats, it was a back-and-forth affair in the fourth up until a five-point and four-point run established a big lead for Villanova. Santa Clara brought it back within one, but fittingly a termination from Harrell on a tip shot granted the 'Cats a match win.
UP NEXT: Villanova now prepares for a midweek bout at the Palestra against the Penn Quakers before a weekend at the Delaware Tournament, facing the Blue Hens and Rider in Friday and Saturday contests.
