Oct. 28, 2006

Final Stats

Villanova, PA - For the third consecutive match, the Villanova Wildcat (14-12, 6-4 BIG EAST) used a balanced offensive attack to pick a 3-1 win, this time over the Syracuse Orange (10-20, 4-6 BIG EAST) at Jake Nevin Field House. In the match, four different Wildcats collected at least ten kills, but none of them had more than 14.

As has been the case on numerous occasions this season, Villanova came out firing to start the first game and cruised to a 30-18 win.

Game two would be dominated by senior Adrian Semrau (Grafton, Ohio), who recorded five kills to go along with two solo blocks and three block assists in the second game alone. Villanova would go on to win game two, 30-24.

In game three, Villanova's offense fell on some hard times and Syracuse picked up their offensive efforts. Syracuse hit .306 for the game while VU was only able to come up with a hitting percentage of .120, which included 10 errros. Despite that, the game was tied 21-21, but from there Syracuse rallied to pull out the 30-25 win and force a fourth game.

In that fourth game, both teams were evenly matched to start and the score was tied 14-14 midway through. The Wildcats were not to be denied, as Alona Cherkez (Crimea, Ukraine) and Semrau stepped up offensively, leading Villanova to a 30-27 win to close out the match.

Cherkez would finish the match with 14 kills and 13 digs and two blocks, while Semrau had nine blocks, a career high, and 13 kills. Other Wildcats with double figure kills included senior Kelly Ludwig (Franklin Lakes, N.J.) with 12 and a .308 hitting percentage and junior Kacy Sellers (Battle Creek, Mich.) who also had a double-double with 13 kills, 10 digs and three blocks.

Chelsea Graman (Cincinnati, Ohio) and Jenna Link (Wheaton, Ill.) split the setting duties for the Wildcats, but it was Graman coming away with 30 assists for the match and Link had 14. Graman also had 11 digs, good for her second consecutive assist-dig double-double.

The Wildcats will play host to Marquette on Sunday, starting at 2 PM.