Volleyball improves to 8-6 after defeating Harvard

UConn women’s volleyball defeated the Harvard Crimson 3-0 Friday in straight sets on Friday bringing their record to 8-6 on the season. The team was led by senior Mattison Quayle with 13 kills and freshman Erika Thomas with 10 kills. Marissa Prinzbach provided her team with opportunity, after opportunity as she recorded a match high 38 assists. Kelsey Maving continued her strong junior campaign with another 26 digs to bring her career total over 1,500.

The Huskies took the first set by a score of 27-25 with a match high 18 kills. The Huskies fended off the Crimson who showed signs of life early. Unfortunately for the Crimson, this is the closest they would come to victory, as the next to sets were hardly close. The Huskies won the second set 25-17 behind thunderous kills by Mattison Quayle. The third set was a blowout as the Huskies emerged victorious, 25-10.

It was truly an all-around team effort against the Crimson. Devon Maugle recorded nine kills for the Huskies, while Brianna Datti, scored 12 digs on the way to victory.

“I am very proud of my team tonight,” said Coach Strauss O’Brien. “We came out and improved on the little things. We killed the ball very well, eighteen plus times, and passed and set the ball very well.” She also seemed very pleased with her young players, namely freshmen Erika Thomas who had nine blocks to go along with her ten kills. “She’s about to explode,” said Coach Strauss-O’Brien. “I really hope she can back this performance up in the games to come.”
UConn’s next home game is next Friday against the Villanova Wildacats (5-7) currently on a four-game losing streak. The Huskies fell to the Wildcats in four sets last year, 3-1. This will be an opportunity avenge their loss from last year as the younger players on the team continue to improve.