Volleyball splits weekend series

UConn volleyball (8-9, 1-1) went 1-1 this weekend at home to start off Big East conference play. Friday night, Notre Dame defeated UConn 3-1 at Gampel Pavilion.

In the opening set, which the Huskies lost 25-22, UConn trailed by no more than three points. UConn managed to topple Notre Dame in the second set, winning 25-21.

In the final two sets, Notre Dame went on multiple scoring runs to finish the third set 25-14 after a four point UConn run, and the Irish ended the match with a 25-16 fourth set score. UConn trailed the entire time in the last set.

Notre Dame's defense held the Huskies to 21 kills in those final two sets. Junior Rebecca Murray led the Huskies with 15 kills, while senior Jessica Isaac recorded the most digs in four sets for the Huskies this season.

"It was our first Big East game so we just needed to get the nerves out," said senior Devon Farrell. "I am confident in the team as we head into the rest of conference play."

On Sunday, the Huskies bounced back to beat the Blue Devils of DePaul 3-0, capturing their first Big East win.

"It feels great to have a win in-conference," said coach Holly Strauss-O'Brien. "We always try to win two games a weekend but it feels good to get at least one this weekend with DePaul."

UConn started the first set trailing 7-2 but then rallied back to win 25-21. Freshman Mattison Quaye recorded a match-high 15 kills and is the only player to reach double figures at Gampel Pavilion.

Kelsey Maving, also a freshman, was an offensive threat for the Huskies as she led them to a seven-point run in the first-set rally.

"We took care of business," O'Brien said. "Our errors didn't creep up on us and we handled ourselves well. We just did what we needed to do to win."

The Huskies hit the road this weekend to continue Big East play.

"We are at USF on Friday," O'Brien said. "That's always a tough environment to play in. And we have Georgetown on Sunday. We are ready to test the waters in Big East play."