News Summary
The Villanova Wildcats volleyball team, with a current record of 13-4, is gearing up for a challenging road trip in New England this weekend. They will compete against Providence on Friday and Connecticut on Saturday, following a mixed week of results. The Wildcats aim to solidify their playoff positioning in the BIG EAST conference after securing a win against Georgetown but facing a loss to No. 13 Creighton. With historical advantages over both opponents, the matches are crucial for their season trajectory.
Villanova, PA – The Villanova Wildcats volleyball team, holding a current record of 13-4 and 4-2 in the BIG EAST conference, is set to embark on a challenging New England road trip this weekend, as they prepare to face off against Providence on Friday night at 5 p.m. and against Connecticut on Saturday night at 7 p.m.. This journey comes after a mixed performance last week, featuring a victory against Georgetown and a sweep loss to the nationally ranked No. 13 Creighton.
In their previous match against Georgetown, Villanova secured a 3-1 win, showcasing a strong team effort with double-doubles from three players, along with a standout performance from Ava Mehrten, who recorded a season-high 12 kills. Despite the success against Georgetown, the Wildcats faced a tough challenge when they played Creighton, where they were unable to secure a win, resulting in a clean sweep.
Vital statistics from individual players are notable this season; sophomore Alyssa Nelson reached the remarkable milestone of 1,000 career assists this past weekend. Additionally, freshman Reagan McGivern impressed in her first encounter with a top-25 team, tying for the team lead with seven kills at an impressive hitting percentage of .417.
Villanova has proven their ability to perform away from home, boasting an impressive 6-1 record in road matches this season. The Wildcats hold a historical advantage over Providence with a 29-21 overall record, having been victorious in six of their last seven encounters against them. Furthermore, they have a slight edge against UConn with a 24-16 record and triumphed over the Huskies in last year’s postseason clash.
As the season progresses, Abby Harrell is on the verge of reaching 1,000 career kills, currently sitting at 992 kills. Moreover, Head Coach Josh Steinbach is inching closer to a career milestone with 299 total wins, just one victory away from achieving his 300th career victory.
Villanova’s historical results on this road trip indicate a pattern of alternating outcomes, having won at Providence while losing to Connecticut in the past two years (2023 and 2024). Both matches this weekend will be available for viewing; fans can tune in on Friars Live and ESPN+.
As the Wildcats look to improve their standing in the BIG EAST conference, every match holds substantial significance. The upcoming battles against Providence and UConn promise to be crucial in shaping the trajectory of their season as they strive to solidify their playoff aspirations.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Providence College Women’s Volleyball Team Faces Setback
Providence College Volleyball Prepares for Critical Matches
Additional Resources
- Friars.com: Volleyball Set to Host Villanova and Georgetown
- Google Search: Villanova Wildcats volleyball
- Montana Sports: Providence Rises Again
- Wikipedia: NAIA
- Go Marquette: Marquette Earns 3-0 Victory Over Providence
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Volleyball
- Red Storm Sports: St. John’s Volleyball Outlasts Providence
- Google News: Women’s Volleyball
- Friars.com: Volleyball Falls to Butler
Author: STAFF HERE PROVIDENCE WRITER
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