After playing St. John’s and Butler this past week, Villanova is now entering the final games of the regular season.
The penultimate week began on Wednesday night at Jake Nevin Field House, in which the ‘Cats suffered a 1-3 loss to the Red Storm. To end the week, the team traveled to Indianapolis, IN to defeat Butler, 3-0.
On Nov. 13, the ‘Cats were defeated by St. Johns, (25-17, 18- 25, 21-25, 23-25).
After winning the first set, Villanova came up short in the last three, losing by a margin of two points or more. Despite their scoring troubles, the ‘Cats still managed an aggressive performance on the court.
The two highest scorers of the night were star outside hitters sophomore Abby Harrell and freshman Cat Young.
Harrell and Young both achieved 13.5 points each. Harrell also pulled off 13 digs and 11 kills against the Red Storm.
Aside from being one of the highest scorers of the game, Young acquired two assists and two aces. Along with 10 kills and digs, Young accomplished one of her best performances for the 2024 season.
“Coming on the last stretch of the games, I feel like we’re just trying to stay connected with each other,” Young said. “I think at the end of the day, it’s just all of us coming together and giving it all we have and putting it all out there on the court.”
Young’s fellow rookie freshman setter Alyssa Nelson recorded three aces and 21 assists on Wednesday night.
Senior middle blocker Ozzie Ozonoh registered six blocks against the Red Storm.
Graduate transfer Taylor Jakubowski helped out her team- mates by gaining 19 assists for the ‘Cats. On Saturday, Nov. 16, the ‘Cats overpowered the Bull- dogs, (25-23, 25-13, 25-19).
After winning three straight sets, this put Villanova undefeated against the Bulldogs for the season. The ‘Cats have not allowed Butler to win a single set since November of last year.
Freshman middle blocker Campbell McKinnon executed an ace and three blocks, as well as six kills. Freshman Taylor Lewis attained one block and ten kills. Young pulled off another stellar performance on Saturday, achieving two aces, two blocks, and six kills.
“I think they’ve done a really good job of just kind of being themselves, and one of the things you’re hoping for when you get young players in is that they can be themselves,” head coach Josh Steinbach said. “We just got a group of freshmen that really seem calm and comfortable right away, which is fantastic.”
Senior libero Elizabeth Feczko reached five digs and 13 assists for the ‘Cats. Harrell was the highest scorer of the game yet again. She achieved 13 kills accounting for 14 points.
Barreling towards the end of the season, the ‘Cats are putting out their best efforts to fight for a spot in the playoffs. Villanova now has an overall record of 15-12 for the season.
As for the Big East conference, the ‘Cats are 8-8. Their last home games for the season are scheduled for this weekend and are crucial for Villanova’s entrance into the Big East Tournament.
“I know we have all the pieces,” Young said. “I feel like we just need to trust what we’re doing and trust what we’re seeing on the other side, no matter who we’re playing.”
The ‘Cats will take on Providence on Friday, Nov. 22 at 6 p.m. On Saturday, Nov. 23, Villanova will play UConn at Jake Nevin Fieldhouse to close out the 2024 regular season.
The Big East Tournament will take place in Omaha, Nebraska over Thanksgiving weekend.
“I want to stay relaxed and confident to hopefully get us in a place where we’re playing smoothly coming into our last two home matches,” Steinbach said. “Also, getting us ready for a big tournament and trying to make a run out there at Omaha.”
