Volleyball Sweeps Villanova

Box score.

EAST LANSING, Mich. – The Eastern Michigan University volleyball team swept a Villanova University squad, 3-0 (31-29, 30-23, 30-27) here Saturday afternoon in the finale of the Spartan Invitational here at Jenison Field House. With the victory the Eagles improve to 3-4 on the season, while the Wildcats drop to 1-5.

For the contest, EMU was paced by senior Lindsay Piccolini with 10 kills and three total blocks (1 solo, 2 assist) for a total of 16.0 points. Junior Abby Reenders and freshman Victoria Randolph both posted nine kills for the Eagles. Senior Ashley Cudney led EMU with 16 digs, while Kate Sulewski recorded 33 assists.

For Villanova, Kacy Sellers paced the attack with 13 kills while Adrian Semrau tallied 12 kills and three total blocks (1 solo, 2 assist). Jenna Link recorded 29 set assists and five digs, while Alona Cherkez added 10 digs

In the first set, the two teams traded points, knotting the score at 5-5. Villanova rattled off 10 of the next 14 points to take a 15-9 lead, but the Green and White would respond pulling back within a pair at 22-20. Eastern was able to tie the game and eventually take a two-point advantage at 27-25. Villanova kept close but was unable to pull any closer as the Eagles wrapped up the frame 31-29. Piccolini, Abby Reenders and Randolph all chalked up four kills while Cudney added 10 digs.

In the second game, EMU rolled off nine quick points to take a 9-6 advantage. The margin remained around three until the end of the set when Eastern Michigan was able to push the edge to seven, 30-23. EMU's Piccolini added a game-high four kills, while VU was paced by Semrau with three kills.

In the finale Eastern dominated the early stages by racing off to an 18-9 led, but VU clawed back with a run of their own to pull within four, 23-19. The Wildcats would not go away quietly, but EMU was able to close out the game and the match with a kill by Abby Reenders to seal the 30-27 decison.

Following the invitational's final match, Piccolini and Becky Reenders were named to the All-Tournament squad.

The Eagles return to Ypsilanti to take next week off, before returning to the road to continue a 10-match road trip Friday, Sept. 15, at the College of Charleston Invitational in Charleston, S.C. EMU will face Iowa, Columbia and the host Cougars in the two-day tournament.

Eastern Michigan Athletics

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