The UConn Volleyball team’s six game winning streak came to an end this past weekend, as Connecticut fell to Xavier and DePaul this weekend on the road.
On Friday, Oct. 25 the Huskies faced Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Musketeers took control of the first set early on, gaining a 3-0 lead. The Huskies responded with several kills from freshman Anna Herman to tie the game at three all. Both teams traded points back and forth, tying the match again at nine up. However, the Huskies took the lead with kills from graduate student Taylor Pannell, junior Hanna Tylska and sophomore Grace Maria, putting them up 15-12. The Musketeers responded, going on a five-point run and regaining the lead 17-15. However, UConn wasn’t willing to give up yet, coming back with a run of their own. Two consecutive aces from Maria and a kill by Pannell put gave the Huskies a 21-18 advantage. Kills from Tylska, Herman and Maria sealed the deal and gave UConn the first set, 25-23.
The Huskies kept the momentum going into the second set, as blocks from Herman and a kill from Tylska put UConn up 3-1. Xavier responded with a 4-0 run, taking the lead 5-3. After several errors from the Musketeers and a kill from senior Doga Kutlu, the Huskies tied the set seven-all. Xavier took the lead in the latter half of the set, gaining a 17-12 lead on the Huskies after several strong offensive plays. The Musketeers extended their lead, going on a 6-0 run putting them up 23-13. A final kill, and service ace, from Xavier gave them the second set 25-15, tying the game at 1-1.
Going into the third set, both teams struggled with errors that led the set to a tie at six-all. The Huskies continued to struggle with error as Xavier took an 11-6 lead. The Huskies fought back with three kills and a service ace from Pannell, putting them within one point of the Musketeers at 13-14. Xavier responded with several kills extending their lead to 22-18. Though the Huskies attempted a comeback with kills from Tylska and freshman Loren Winn, their efforts weren’t enough, as the Musketeers took the third set 25-22.
The Huskies came into the fourth set looking to turn the game around. They got an early lead, going on a 5-0 run early in the set. Kills from Kutlu, Tylska, Winn and Pannell put the Huskies up 7-2. Xavier tried to close the lead, scoring three consecutive points off of UConn service errors, but the Huskies were quick to shut them down. Kills from Tylska, Kutlu and a service ace from junior Brenna Wyman, put the Huskies up 11-5. From there on it was all UConn, with the Huskies never losing the lead and going on several 3-0 runs. The Musketeers attempted to close the gap later in the set, going on a 4-0 run. But in the end, the Huskies took the fourth set 25-20, once again tying the match, at two sets a piece.
The Huskies kept the momentum going into the fifth and final set. Taking an early 5-2 lead off of kills from Pannell and Tylska. However, The Musketeers were unwilling to go down easily as they put up a four-point run of their own, retaking the lead by one point 5-6. Both teams continuously traded points, bringing the game to a standstill at 10-all. Xavier took the lead in the latter half of the set, going on two scoring runs and took the set 15-11. This marked the Huskies’ third loss in the season.
UConn moved on to face the DePaul Blue Demons on Sunday, Oct. 27, in Chicago, Ill. The Huskies were looking were looking for a comeback going into the matchup, but the Blue Demons proved themselves a worthy opponent and handed UConn their fourth loss of the season.
DePaul started the first set off aggressively, quickly building a 7-1 lead on the Huskies. UConn struggled to find its rhythm, as the Blue Demons continued to build their lead to 15-5. Kills from Tylska, Maria and a service ace from freshman Mckenna Brand helped the Huskies close the gap to 17-8. DePaul extended their lead to 22-11 with strong offensive plays. Despite errors from the Blue Demons and a service Ace from Pannell the Huskies couldn’t catch up; DePaul took the First set 25-13.
The Blue Demons kept their momentum going into the second set, taking an early six- point lead. Both teams then went on a string of 3-0 runs. With Maria and Herman putting up several kills for the Huskies, closing DePaul’s lead to 16-12. The Huskies then went on 4-0 run with kills from Herman and a service ace from Tylska, leading to a tied set at 16-all. DePaul responded by going on two strong offensive runs, regaining the lead 23-17. The Huskies were close behind, going on two 3-0 runs fueled by kills from Winn, Tylska and Pannell. Bringing the score to 24-23. Despite their efforts, the Blue Demons took the second set 25-23, putting them up 2-0 going into the third set.
The third set started in a tight match up, as both teams constantly traded points leading to seven-all tie. Both programs continued to put up good offensive plays as DePaul began to gain a small margin over the Huskies, 15-12. Connecticut continued to fight, as kills from Tylska and Herman put them back in the spotlight tying the game at 19-all. After a small scoring run, the Blue Demons attempted to gain a lead on the Huskies. UConn responded, capitalizing on DePaul’s errors and scoring two kills from Tylska, gaining a one-point lead, 24-23. DePaul tried to keep UConn at bay. However, in the end, it was the Huskies who came out on top, taking the third set 28-26.
Going into the fourth set, DePaul was determined to get off to a hot start, going on an early 5-0 run and claiming the lead. The Huskies’ defense once again took center stage as blocks from Winn and Herman helped UConn close the lead to 5-3. The Blue Demons extended their lead to 12-7. The Huskies responded once again, taking advantage of errors in the DePaul offense; kills from Tylska closed the gap to 11-12. DePaul continued to build their advantage, getting to 19-14. Three kills from Pannell brought the Huskies to fighting distance at 19-20. However, their efforts proved not enough, as DePaul took the fourth set 25-22 and consequently won the match 3-1.
These marked the Huskies’ third and fourth losses all season. UConn will be seeking redemption as they continue their conference play on the road later in the week when they take on Providence.