Volleyball brought home two wins from the Carolina Classic this weekend, after defeating Western Kentucky University and American University. A loss to the University of North Carolina in a close 3-2 match proved to many that the Wildcats are able to hang with top competitors this season.

Western Kentucky was the first opponent of the tournament and proved to be a tough one as the match was forced into a fifth game. Villanova was able to pull it out, winning 3-2, as senior Kacy Sellers had another stellar performance. She led the team with 19 kills and a .389 hitting percentage, including a season high of seven blocks to add to senior Alona Cherkez’s 18 kills and five aces that ties a career high. Junior Dana Tartazky had 10 kills, and junior Emily Brown had 10 digs. Sophomore Chelsea Graman once again led the team with 45 assists.

The Wildcats then faced the University of North Carolina in a tough match that forced a fifth game. However, the fifth game did not end as the Wildcats hoped it would. Cherkez led the team with another double-double with 29 kills and 23 digs, both career highs, and Sellers recorded 21 kills, while Tartazky and Brown both had 13 digs. Graman’s 65 were not enough as the Wildcats added a loss to their record.

American University was the last opponent to face the Wildcats. An intense first game made the match seem as if it would also go to five games. Narrowly losing the first game 31-29, the Wildcats made a huge comeback, limiting the match to only four games and taking away the win, 3-1. The three games were close, with scores of 30-27, 30-18 and 30-25. Cherkez picked up another double-double with 23 kills and 14 digs. Tartazky recorded 18 kills and four aces, while Sellers had 14 kills and six blocks. Graman again reached 60 assists for the game, and Brown picked up 18 digs, both remaining big contributors. The Wildcats out hit American .343 to .236 and recorded 22 more kills, making their record 4-3.