Villanova volleyball opened its conference schedule this weekend, claiming wins over Georgetown and Seton Hall.
The Wildcats are now on a six-match winning streak and have only lost one home match this season.
After a strong opening weekend, Villanova has established a 2-0 conference record and 9-4 record for the 2024 season. To start off their Big East season, the Wildcats defeated the Hoyas on Friday, Sept. 27 at Jake Nevin Field House.
On Saturday, Sep. 28, the team traveled to Seton Hall to take on the Pirates.
The Wildcats performed well against the Hoyas, winning the match in straight sets (25-15, 25-21, 25-18). Junior outside hitter Tara Garvey recorded nine kills and three blocks for Villanova against Georgetown.
Senior middle blocker Ozzie Ozonoh had a strong showing with seven kills and three blocks.
“Every conference win is a great win,” Villanova head coach Josh Steinbach said after Friday’s match. “The team has been working really hard in practice, so it’s good to see it all play out.”
Graduate transfer setter Taylor Jakubowski has played a significant role in the success of the ‘Cats this season. With 36 assists, 24 digs and three aces in the past two matches, Jakubowski has proven to be a valuable addition to the team after four seasons competing in Big East volleyball at Seton Hall.
Jakubowski returned to South Orange, New Jersey the following day to face her former team with the Wildcats.
“I know their tendencies, but they know mine,” Jakubowski said in advance of the Seton Hall match. “It’s an even playing field, we have a lot of new girls, they have a lot of new people on their team.”
Jakubowski and the Wildcats defeated the Pirates in four sets (25-21, 20-25, 25-21, 27-25).
Sophomore middle blocker Abby Harrell notched 17 kills and 18 points on Saturday. Ozonoh had a season high of 12 points and also logged five digs.
After losing the second set by five points, the Wildcats refocused their energy to reign victorious for the next two sets. Although the final set ended so close by going to 27 instead of 25, the ‘Cats persevered to pull off the win against the Pirates.
“We must continue to do what we did tonight, which I thought was serve and pass well, play hard on defense, and manage our mistakes,” Steinbach said. “If we keep doing that, we’ll be in a good position for the rest of the season.”
The rookie ‘Cats asserted their dominance on the court in their first steps into Big East play.
Freshman outside hitter Cat Young had 10 kills on Friday and earned 11 points against the Hoyas.
Freshman setter Alyssa Nelson was also a dominating force on the weekend, helping her team with a total of 48 assists and 18 digs.
Lastly, freshman middle blocker Campbell McKinnon pulled off 20 kills and logged 25 points.
“We have a really good group of freshmen,” Steinbach said. “They are focused, they work hard, play hard. It makes them an easy group to coach.”
Villanova is one of five teams in the Big East who have a perfect conference record.
Villanova continues its Big East schedule with two away games this weekend, at DePaul and Xavier.
The ‘Cats will face DePaul in Chicago on Friday, Oct. 4, at 8 p.m. Then, the Wildcats will travel to Cincinnati on Sunday, Oct. 6, to take on Xavier at 1 p.m.
