VILLANOVA, Pa. – It was a strong start to the Villanova Classic for the host Wildcats, sweeping Loyola Maryland in straight sets (25-22, 25-20, 25-20) at Jake Nevin Field House on Friday evening.
Abby Harrell led the way once again for Villanova (2-2) with nine kills, 13 digs, four service aces and four total blocks, all match bests. Freshman Alyssa Nelson totaled the first double-double of her career on 11 assists and 10 digs as Ozzie Ozonoh totaled a career-high five kills.
Cat Young contributed six kills in addition to 11 digs and fellow freshman Campbell McKinnon chipped in four kills, three aces and three total blocks.
Senior setter Ellery Gray saw her first action of the season with five assists and a kill while Sophia Stalcup entered a match for the first time in her career and contributed a pair of third-set kills.
"It's great to get a win at home, we were glad to be able to work some people into the rotation tonight," head coach Josh Steinbach said. "We still have things to work on but any night you come out with a victory is a good one."
The 'Cats got out to a hot start in the opening frame with a 9-4 edge to begin and the lead ballooning to 17-9 before a Loyola pause. The Greyhounds battled all the way back to tie it at 18-all, but Villanova got the seven points it needed for a 25-22 set one victory.
Loyola stormed its way to a 14-9 advantage in the second to put VU's backs against a wall, but the Wildcats dominated the rest of the way thanks in large part to four total blocks for a five-point win in the frame.
Villanova secured a 10-4 beginning lead in set three, moving the lead all the way up to 17-8 while working in freshman libero Lola Buck-Taylor as well as Gray and Stalcup. The Greyhounds closed the score within a couple, but the Wildcats finished the visitors off for the second VU home win in as many tries.
The victory maintains Villanova's perfect record against Loyola Maryland, advancing the all-time lead over the Greyhounds to 10-0.
UP NEXT: Two more home bouts await the 'Cats this weekend, squaring off with the Princeton Tigers on Saturday night before the Villanova Classic comes to a close on Sunday afternoon against Old Dominion.
