October 24, 1998

Villanova, Pa. - Attempting to get back on the winning track, the Villanova Wildcats faced Big East leader, Connecticut. In the longest match of the season, the Wildcats battled the Huskies to the last point, but dropped their third straight, 3-2 (9-15, 15-13, 15-10, 12-15, 15-13). In the first game, despite five straight points from UConn's Jenelle Koester, Villanova took the game 15-9. In the second, Connecticut got out of the gate quick and built a 10-3 lead, but let it slip away, allowing the Wildcats to take a 13-12 lead. Unable to finish it off, Villanova dropped the second 13-15.

Unable to get the lead in third game, the Wildcats reduced the Huskies lead to 10-9, but behind a game-high .291 hitting percentage, UConn took the third game 15-10. With the game on the line, head coach Heather Hoehn's team responded, taking the fourth game 15-12 with a .259 hitting percentage. In the final game, with rally score format, each team traded points until the game was tied 13-13. Connecticut then showed why they are on top on the Big East, taking the final two points and the match.

Connecticut (16-9/6-0) was led by Jenelle Koester who knocked down 19 kills and Annette Rynn recorded a game-high 37 digs. For the Wildcats (10-10/3-2), senior Megan O'Brien tallied 26 kills and 26 digs, while Elizabeth Jones had 21 kills and 24 digs. Villanova takes on St. John's on Sunday, Oct. 25 at 2:00 pm at Jake Nevin Field House.

Score by Game 1 2 3 4 5 CONNECTICUT 9 15 15 12 15 VILLANOVA 15 13 10 15 13

Scoring: Assists-Connecticut (66), Roberson (34), Villanova (79), Arnette (76); Kills-Connecticut (72),Koester (19), Harris (16), Rynn (15), Villanova (87), O'Brien (26), Eddinger (24), Jones (21); Digs-Connecticut (95), Rynn (37), Patterson (18), Koester (12), Villanova (107), O'Brien (26), Jones (24), Eddinger (16), Blankenhiem (15), Fucci (14).