UConn volleyball returns home this weekend to face Georgetown and Villanova. The Huskies will be making their way back to Storrs after losing to Xavier and beating Butler last weekend on the road.
Connecticut currently stands with a 14-4 overall season record and a 3-3 conference record. The Huskies also remain undefeated at home, winning their last 10 home games.
UConn is filled with many strong players, including senior Emma Werkmeister, who not only leads the team with 41 service aces and 248 kills, but has made herself an essential part of every aspect of the game. Aside from being the leader in those two categories, she is also tied for fifth with 14 assists, is third with 116 digs and second with 28 blocks. This weekend, she will also have the opportunity to reach 1000 career kills as she is just 12 kills shy of the milestone.
Aside from Werkmeister, Connecticut also relies on many defensive players such as sophomore McKenna Brand and graduate student Doga Kutlu. Brand leads the program with 251 digs and is tied for second in the Big East, averaging 4 digs per set. Kutlu has also been an essential part of the team, leading them with 624 assists and is ranked second in the Big East, averaging 10 assists per set.
First this weekend, the Huskies will face the Georgetown Hoyas on Friday. The Hoyas own a 3-3 conference record and are currently on a two-game losing streak. This will be the 17th time the programs face one another. Connecticut holds an 11-5 record against Georgetown, only losing twice at home.
The Hoyas’ offense is comprised of sophomores Dionna Mitchell and Juleigh Urbina. Mitchell leads the program with 235 kills and 172 digs. She is also second in aces, with 27 service aces. Urbina leads the programs with 466 assists and 34 service aces. She’s ranked second in the Big East, averaging .65 aces per set.
The Huskies will end the weekend against the Villanova Wildcats on Saturday night. Villanova holds a 13-4 overall record and a 4-2 conference record, only having one road loss.
This will mark the 19th time the programs match up against one another. The Huskies hold an 11-8 record against the Wildcats. However, it was Villanova who came out on top at their last match, knocking the Huskies out of the Big East tournament in the first round.
The Wildcats are led by junior Abby Harrell, who leads with 249 kills, 182 digs and 24 service aces. On the defensive side they rely on freshman Reagan McGivern, who leads with 64 blocks.
The Huskies come into this weekend hoping to build momentum off their last win and avenge their first-round exit of the Big East Tournament last season.
Both matches will take place at the UConn Volleyball Center. The first serve against Georgetown is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 17. The Huskies will then face Villanova at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18. Both matches will be streamed live on ESPN+.