Aug. 31, 2001

Stats

On Friday, August 31st, in the first match of the 2001 Wildcat season, Villanova volleyball was defeated by the No. 3rd ranked Penn State Nittany Lions by the scores of 30-24, 30-25 and 30-13. The match marked the season opener for both teams and dropped the Wildcats to 0-1 on the season.

Tonight's match was Villanova's first since the NCAA switched to the rally-scoring based format and was evident as both teams took time adjusting to the new style of play.

Villanova came out early in the first set taking an 8-6 advantage behind the play of junior Leah Mathews (Poway, CA/ Our Lady of Peace) and senior Libby Sybilrud (Atlanta, GA/ Marist School). The Wildcats offensive production would not last for long as inconsistent hitting hampered the Wildcats efforts to stay in the game. Penn State would go on to outscore the 'Cats 24-16 en route to a game one victory.

The second set looked promising for the Wildcats as they took advantage of Penn State's poor hitting and stayed close throughout the game. The Wildcats could not hang on however and watched Penn State close out the second set with an 8-5 run.

Game three proved no different for the Wildcats as they saw Penn State take a commanding 9-1 advantage. Villanova would not get any closer than 9-3 and the Nittany Lions sealed the win with a decisive 30-13 victory.

In the loss, Mathews led the Wildcats with 11 kills and 10 digs on the night. Syrilrud tallied 10 kills and sophomore setter Jennifer Edwards (Valencia, CA/ Valencia) recorded 28 assists.

Villanova will return to action on Saturday, Sept. 1st in the second day of the Penn State Invitational when they take on the University of North Carolina at 10:00 A.M. and Loyola (Md.) at 3:00 P.M.