Sept. 2, 2017
SAN DIEGO, Calif. – Georgia Tech volleyball (2-5) wrapped up the USD Tournament on Saturday night with a 3-1 loss to Villanova (4-2). The match marked the end to the Jackets three-match road swing and they will return home Thursday, Sept. 7 to face Xavier.
Head coach Michelle Collier says:
“This tournament was good because it really exposed some weaknesses that we have to work hard to get better at. Our team embraces the strength of our schedule and understands that challenging ourselves this early will make us stronger in the long run. There is a lot to learn from this weekend and we will be back on the court Tuesday to be a better team for Thursday.”
How it happened:
The Jackets took the early lead in the first set, edging ahead at 9-6 with back-to-back attack errors committed by the Wildcats. Villanova battled back to tie Tech at 11-11 but the Yellow Jackets maintained their composure and the lead off kills from seniors Ashley Askin and Gabriela Stavnetchei. The Wildcats snuck their way back up, stealing the lead at 15-14 causing Tech to call a timeout. A service ace from freshman Sam Knapp tied the set back up at 16-16. Villanova took a three-point lead at 21-18 and managed to hold the Jackets off to take the set 25-21.
Villanova carried that momentum into the second, taking a 6-1 lead. Tech made use of their timeout as junior Lauren Frerking sent home a kill to keep the Jackets in the set but the Wildcats held onto their lead and pocketed the set at 25-16.
Tech took the lead to start the third, but Villanova took over at 7-6. Georgia Tech stayed close, never trailing by more than three. Back-to-back kills from Stavnetchei tied the match at 19-19 before an attack error by the Wildcats gave Tech the lead. The teams would tie again at 22-22 but another kill from Stavnetchei kept the advantage for the Jackets and the senior would serve out the set for the Jackets to 25-22.
The Wildcats took the lead at 4-3 in the fourth and final set and never gave it back up. The Jackets would come close at 15-14 off a kill from senior Sydney Wilson but Villanova had a response for every adjustment the Jackets made.
Up next:
Tech returns to O’Keefe Gymnasium to host Xavier, North Florida and Kansas State in the Georgia Tech Invitational Friday-Saturday, Sept. 7-8.
Quick Hits:
– Gabriela Stavnetchei tallied a career-high kills with 18.
– Stavnetchei recorded double-digit kills for the sixth match this season.
– Stavnetchei posted her third double-double of the season with 18 kills and 16 digs.
– Lauren Frerking notched a career high 3 kills.
– Ashley Askin finished with a career high 14 kills.
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