The UConn Volleyball team (4-0) returned to Storrs for its long-awaited home opener, taking on the University of South Dakota (2-2) in the first match of the Top Dogs Challenge, resulting in a 3-1 victory for the Huskies.
In this matchup the Coyotes, the defending Summit League champions, came ready to challenge the hosts in game one of the tournament.
South Dakota jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead, but a service error and back-to-back aces from senior Emma Werkmeister to get the Huskies going. The two sides traded points earlybefore Werkmeister added a pair of kills to help UConn build a four-point lead. However, the Coyotes went on to rattle off a 7-1 run to flip the lead. A kill and block from Audrey Rome managed to tie the score, but a pair of errors from UConn gave the lead right back. The Huskies stormed back late, retaking the lead at 24-23 to reach set point first. Senior Jess Perry heated up down the stretch, tallying four kills in set one. A clutch ace from Senior Brenna Wyman closed out the set at 26-24.
UConn started the second set strong, as Rome delivered two kills and a block to put the Huskies on the board. Werkmeister added a kill and an ace to stretch the Connecticut lead to four. The defense remained composed throughout the set, extending rallies and forcing South Dakota to earn every point. Aces from Wyman and sophomore McKenna Brand held off another surge from the Coyotes as UConn looked to close out the second set. South Dakota clawed back to even the score at 21, but junior Isabella Suhy had other plans with two aces securing the set 25-21.
Werkmeister continued her productive night by starting off the third set with her sixth kill of the night. The senior nailed another perfect spike after a long, exciting rally. South Dakota held on early before going on a run to take a three-point lead. Werkmeister notched another kill three straight aces end the Coyote’s momentum and retake the lead. Grace Maria was valuable from the back row, with key digs and her fourth kill putting the Huskies up four. Once again, South Dakota staged a comeback to regain the lead. After trading points back and forth, UConn reached match point first after outlasting the Coyotes on a long rally, taking the point after a wide spike out of bounds. South Dakota forced a deuce and ultimately took the set 27-25.
The Coyotes picked up where they left off, taking the first three points of the fourth set. UConn relied on service errors by the opposing squad as they struggled offensively early on, seemingly rattled by the previous set. South Dakota took advantage, dominating the net to start the set. The Huskies still kept up, and back-to-back kills from Perry gave the Huskies their first lead of the set at 13-12. Both teams struggled from the line, trading errors with neither side able to capitalize. The match remained down to the wire, until Rome delivered consecutive aces for a late UConn lead. The Huskies ultimately managed to hold on and closed out the final set 25-23
Werkmeister was the catalyst of the Huskies offense with 12 kills and 6 aces. Perry and Rome also had a productive night with nine and eight kills, respectively. The Coyotes gave Connecticut their biggest challenge of the season so far, as they were consistently able to rebound from large deficits. Despite a sluggish start to the fourth set, the Huskies found their groove and prevented a fifth set, starting off the Top Dogs Challenge with a victory. They have little time to celebrate however, with their next game coming on Friday afternoon against Ball State. The first set is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.