News Summary
The Old Dominion University volleyball team faced a challenging match against Villanova, losing 3-1 during the final of the Old Dominion Invitational. Despite showing resilience, particularly in a third set victory, ODU struggled with their left-side hitting positions. Standout performances included Katie Rakoski with 13 kills and Wiktoria Zagumny leading with 31 assists. The match featured 21 ties and 13 lead changes, showcasing the competitiveness between both teams. ODU’s next challenge will be against VCU, as they aim to improve their season record.
Norfolk, Virginia – Old Dominion University (ODU) volleyball team faced a tough challenge on Sunday, falling to Villanova 3-1 during the final match of the Old Dominion Invitational. This defeat brings ODU’s season record to 2-6, while Villanova remains undefeated at 8-0.
The match showcased the competitiveness of both teams, featuring a total of 21 ties and 13 lead changes. Despite their loss, ODU demonstrated resilience, especially in the third set, which they won 25-22 after trailing initially. However, Villanova managed to dominate the fourth set, wrapping up the match with a decisive score of 25-14.
Throughout the match, ODU struggled with producing sufficient output from their left-side hitting positions. ODU’s head coach reflected on the team’s performance, expressing pride in their effort despite the production challenges. The opening set concluded with a narrow 25-21 loss for ODU, characterized by a competitive back-and-forth, which included an early tie at 12-12. However, errors from ODU allowed Villanova to pull ahead to a 15-12 lead, bolstered by two service aces from Cat Young.
The second set ended similarly with Villanova clinching it 25-21, after ODU had kept the score close until 18-17. But ultimately, Villanova’s consistency edged them ahead. The highlight for ODU came in the third set, where they rallied back from a 7-5 deficit, launching a six-point scoring run that helped them secure a 25-22 victory.
Despite the overall loss, several ODU players had standout performances. Katie Rakoski led the team with 13 kills, matching her season high and maintaining an impressive hitting percentage of .409. Elisa Maggi contributed significantly with 11 kills, four digs, three blocks, and two assists, while LeeAnne Lowery added nine kills with a .294 hitting percentage. Additionally, Wiktoria Zagumny was pivotal for the team, leading all players with 31 assists along with nine digs, four kills, two blocks, and one ace.
Defensively, Schelah was noteworthy for her five blocks, and both Kilpatrick and Peji led the team in digs, each recording ten. These efforts, while commendable, were not enough to secure the win against Villanova, who showcased their strength and depth throughout the match.
The all-time series between ODU and Villanova now stands tied at 1-1, marking a competitive history between the two programs. Despite this setback, ODU remains focused on their upcoming matches, with their next game scheduled against VCU on Friday, September 19, at 6 p.m. This will be part of the VCU Invitational, where the team will also face NC State on September 21 and Wake Forest on September 20.
As the season progresses, ODU will be looking to build on their strengths and address their weaknesses in preparation for the challenges ahead.
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Wiktoria Zagumny Set to Debut as Setter for ODU Volleyball
Additional Resources
- ODU Volleyball Falls to Villanova
- Wikipedia: Volleyball
- Monarchs Open Invitational with Win
- Google Search: Old Dominion University Athletics
- Monarchs to Host Invitational
- Google Scholar: ODU Volleyball
- ODU Football Outlook
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Volleyball
- ODU Women’s Soccer Conference Game
- Google News: Old Dominion University sports
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