Friday, August 24
Morgantown, W.Va.
7:00 p.m.
West Virginia University
2-0
3
vs
0
Connecticut
1-1
1
2
3
F
UCONN
20
21
21
0
West Virginia
25
25
25
3
Photo by: All Pro Photography/Dale Sparks
WVU Sweeps UConn in Evening Tilt
August 24, 2018 10:42 PM | Volleyball
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – After capturing a season-opening 3-1 win against Georgia Southern, the West Virginia University volleyball team completed day one of the WVU Invitational with a 3-0 sweep over UConn on Friday evening, inside the WVU Coliseum. The Mountaineers (2-0) downed the Huskies (1-1) in set scores of 25-20, 25-21 and 25-21.
"I thought we played a lot better than this morning," fourth-year coach Reed Sunahara said. "I thought we were a little bit sluggish this morning, but we'll take the wins. It is a good start for us. Bottom line is that our kids are getting the experience they need moving forward."
Outside hitter Kristin Lux, middle blocker Kristina Jordan, defensive specialist Keatan Broughton and setter Lacey Zerwas were among the freshmen to see action on Friday. In addition, sophomore defensive specialist Lindsay Proctor earned a pair of starts at the libero slot.
"There was some nervousness in the first match, but the intensity was better in the second," Sunahara said. "We have a lot of young kids out there, and they are going to grow up quick. We need too, but I'm excited about their future and what they are doing right now."
Junior right side hitter Natania Levak finished the match with nine kills for a hitting percentage of .318. Lux also was good for nine kills, while junior outside hitter Katelyn Evans and sophomore middle blocker Katie DeMeo each added five.
DeMeo also posted nine block assists, while Proctor led the floor defense with 11 digs. Junior setter Erin Slinde had 25 assists and added eight digs as well.
Additionally, Slinde and Jordan each recorded a pair of service aces for WVU. The Mountaineers hit .186 with 34 kills and 12 team blocks. UConn recorded 33 kills on 115 attacks with six team blocks.
West Virginia capitalized on four straight attacking errors in set one to capture an early 12-7 lead before UConn took a timeout to regroup. Both squads exchanged points out of the stoppage, but the Huskies managed to cut their deficit to one, trailing 19-18 down the stretch. West Virginia continued to put up a fight, though, using a pair of kills from Levak for a two-point advantage. UConn took its second timeout, down 21-18, but the Mountaineers eventually cashed in on four of the last six points for the 25-20 win and the 1-0 match lead.
The Mountaineers got into a rhythm early in the second set, scoring 12 of 17 points for a 12-5 lead. However, UConn went on a 4-0 run of its own to come within two, down 13-11, forcing West Virginia to take its first timeout of the frame. Back-and-forth action continued to take place out of the break, but back-to-back-to-back attacking errors from the Huskies gave WVU a 23-18 advantage late in the set. A service error halted WVU's run, but a kill from Lux brought the Mountaineers to set point at 24-19. UConn extended the set with a kill and another WVU error, but Levak countered with a kill of her own to win the set for a 2-0 match advantage.
After playing to a 18-18 tie in the third set, WVU capitalized on a UConn attacking error and never looked back. The Huskies then called a timeout following back-to-back points from the Mountaineers, down 22-19. However, a Mountaineer service error brought the Huskies within two once again before WVU used a pair of UConn errors to reach set point at 24-20. Levak eventually found the middle of the court, as the Mountaineers claimed the 25-21 third-set win, as well as the 3-0 match victory.
On Saturday, the Mountaineers will wrap up the WVU Invitational with a canned food drive against Wright State at 3 p.m. Fans who bring a canned food item to donate to The Rack, WVU's student food bank, are eligible for a discounted ticket ($2).
Fans can purchase tickets by visiting WVUGAME.com, calling 1-800-WVUGAME or at the Mountaineer Ticket Office, located at the Gold Gate of the WVU Coliseum. All tickets are general admission.
When purchasing online, tickets are $5 each and $3 for groups of 10 or more. At the WVU Coliseum ticket window, tickets will be $7 for adults, $5 for youth and seniors and $3 for groups. The discounted online pricing will be available until first serve on game day. Fans are encouraged to order tickets in advance online at WVUGAME.com to avoid lines at the gate.
Tickets for WVU students are free with a valid student I.D.
Of note, to provide a safer environment for Mountaineer fans and to expedite entry into all ticketed WVU athletic events, the West Virginia Department of Intercollegiate Athletics enforces the NFL's Clear Bag Policy. The athletic department invites and encourages fans to visit WVUsports.com/clearbag for more information, to view pictures of permissible and non-permissible items and to obtain answers to frequently asked questions about the clear bag policy.
For more information on the Mountaineers, visit WVUsports.com and follow WVUVolleyball on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
"I thought we played a lot better than this morning," fourth-year coach Reed Sunahara said. "I thought we were a little bit sluggish this morning, but we'll take the wins. It is a good start for us. Bottom line is that our kids are getting the experience they need moving forward."
Outside hitter Kristin Lux, middle blocker Kristina Jordan, defensive specialist Keatan Broughton and setter Lacey Zerwas were among the freshmen to see action on Friday. In addition, sophomore defensive specialist Lindsay Proctor earned a pair of starts at the libero slot.
"There was some nervousness in the first match, but the intensity was better in the second," Sunahara said. "We have a lot of young kids out there, and they are going to grow up quick. We need too, but I'm excited about their future and what they are doing right now."
Junior right side hitter Natania Levak finished the match with nine kills for a hitting percentage of .318. Lux also was good for nine kills, while junior outside hitter Katelyn Evans and sophomore middle blocker Katie DeMeo each added five.
DeMeo also posted nine block assists, while Proctor led the floor defense with 11 digs. Junior setter Erin Slinde had 25 assists and added eight digs as well.
Additionally, Slinde and Jordan each recorded a pair of service aces for WVU. The Mountaineers hit .186 with 34 kills and 12 team blocks. UConn recorded 33 kills on 115 attacks with six team blocks.
West Virginia capitalized on four straight attacking errors in set one to capture an early 12-7 lead before UConn took a timeout to regroup. Both squads exchanged points out of the stoppage, but the Huskies managed to cut their deficit to one, trailing 19-18 down the stretch. West Virginia continued to put up a fight, though, using a pair of kills from Levak for a two-point advantage. UConn took its second timeout, down 21-18, but the Mountaineers eventually cashed in on four of the last six points for the 25-20 win and the 1-0 match lead.
The Mountaineers got into a rhythm early in the second set, scoring 12 of 17 points for a 12-5 lead. However, UConn went on a 4-0 run of its own to come within two, down 13-11, forcing West Virginia to take its first timeout of the frame. Back-and-forth action continued to take place out of the break, but back-to-back-to-back attacking errors from the Huskies gave WVU a 23-18 advantage late in the set. A service error halted WVU's run, but a kill from Lux brought the Mountaineers to set point at 24-19. UConn extended the set with a kill and another WVU error, but Levak countered with a kill of her own to win the set for a 2-0 match advantage.
After playing to a 18-18 tie in the third set, WVU capitalized on a UConn attacking error and never looked back. The Huskies then called a timeout following back-to-back points from the Mountaineers, down 22-19. However, a Mountaineer service error brought the Huskies within two once again before WVU used a pair of UConn errors to reach set point at 24-20. Levak eventually found the middle of the court, as the Mountaineers claimed the 25-21 third-set win, as well as the 3-0 match victory.
On Saturday, the Mountaineers will wrap up the WVU Invitational with a canned food drive against Wright State at 3 p.m. Fans who bring a canned food item to donate to The Rack, WVU's student food bank, are eligible for a discounted ticket ($2).
Fans can purchase tickets by visiting WVUGAME.com, calling 1-800-WVUGAME or at the Mountaineer Ticket Office, located at the Gold Gate of the WVU Coliseum. All tickets are general admission.
When purchasing online, tickets are $5 each and $3 for groups of 10 or more. At the WVU Coliseum ticket window, tickets will be $7 for adults, $5 for youth and seniors and $3 for groups. The discounted online pricing will be available until first serve on game day. Fans are encouraged to order tickets in advance online at WVUGAME.com to avoid lines at the gate.
Tickets for WVU students are free with a valid student I.D.
Of note, to provide a safer environment for Mountaineer fans and to expedite entry into all ticketed WVU athletic events, the West Virginia Department of Intercollegiate Athletics enforces the NFL's Clear Bag Policy. The athletic department invites and encourages fans to visit WVUsports.com/clearbag for more information, to view pictures of permissible and non-permissible items and to obtain answers to frequently asked questions about the clear bag policy.
For more information on the Mountaineers, visit WVUsports.com and follow WVUVolleyball on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Team Stats
UCONN
WVU
Kills
33
34
Errors
29
15
Attempts
115
102
Hitting %
.035
.186
Points
42.0
51.0
Assists
33
34
Aces
3
5
Blocks
6.0
12.0
Game Leaders
Kills
9
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Kills
9
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Kills
5
Aces
0
Blocks
9
Kills
5
Aces
0
Blocks
4
Players Mentioned
DS
/ VolleyballMB
/ VolleyballOH
/ Volleyball
MB
/ VolleyballRS
/ VolleyballOH
/ Volleyball
DS
/ Volleyball
S
/ Volleyball
S
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