NEW ORLEANS, La. – Little Rock closed out the non-conference portion of its 2018 schedule in style, defeating Big East foe Villanova 25-23, 22-25, 25-19, 25-16 at the AllState Sugar Bowl Volleyball Classic, hosted by Tulane.
The win improves Little Rock's overall record to 8-5, one win shy of matching its 2017 win total. It matches the Trojans' best start to the non-conference season since winning eight matches in 2013, as Little Rock improves to 3-2 all-time against current members of the Big East.
After dropping two hard-fought contests on Friday, Little Rock saw a similar challenge in Villanova as in set one, the two teams combined for 10 ties and five lead changes. With the set tied 20-20 late, Little Rock notched the key points down the stretch, finishing the opener with
Mya Robinson's sixth kill to take the first 25-23.
Set two played out in similar fashion with the Trojans and Wildcats combining for 12 ties and four lead changes, matching points for the duration. Little Rock's last lead came at 19-18 and the Trojans tied it late at 22-22, but couldn't get the points it needed as Villanova won the second 25-22 to tie the match at a set apiece.
But from that point on, Little Rock out-played their Big East opponent, taking control early in both sets three and four. In the third, a 9-4 run put the Trojans in control and they never looked back, taking the 25-19 decision. Little Rock never trailed in the fourth and wore down Villanova's attack, building a 20-12 lead before cruising to the 25-16 win for its eight victory of the season.
Inside the Stats
- The win was the first for Little Rock over a Big East team since defeating Georgetown 3-1 in 2000. The Trojans also have a victory over Providence in 1998.
- Little Rock out-hit Villanova .186 to .115 for the match, registering 62 kills compared to the Wildcats' 47. The Trojans also had 116 digs defensively.
- Four different Trojans finished with double digit kill totals, led by 18 from Mya Robinson who added 18 digs for her third double-double of the weekend. Robinson also hit .224 for Little Rock.
- Veronica Marin added 13 kills and six blocks, adding eight digs defensively while hitting .278.
- Carol Barbosa tallied 10 kills and a .444 hitting percentage with five blocks up front for Little Rock.
- Sydnee Martin reached an impressive career milestone, recording 31 digs in the match to move her career total to 1,207. She now sits in sole possession of third-place all-time in program history.
- Taylor Lindberg finished with 43 assists, complemented by 11 digs and six kills with three blocks.
- Maritza Mesa and Diana Giordani also tallied double-digit dig totals, finishing with 24 and 20, respectively. Mesa also added eight kills for the Trojans.
Up Next
With the non-conference season now in the books, Little Rock sets its sights on the 2018 Sun Belt Conference season, getting underway next weekend. The Trojans will host South Alabama and Troy in what will also be Little Rock's first home matches of the season, facing the Jaguars at 6 p.m. on Friday, September 21 at the Jack Stephens Center before taking on the Alabama Trojans on Saturday, September 22 at 6:30 p.m.
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