October was a long month for Georgetown. During the month, the Hoyas (12-14, 2-8 Big East) suffered six consecutive losses, including four on the road. November has brought new hope, however, as the Hoyas returned to their winning ways against Villanova (16-9, 5-5 Big East) Sunday.
“There is a light at end of the tunnel that was looking pretty dim for us until this weekend,” Head Coach Arlisa Williams said.
With possibly their best team effort of the season, the Blue and Gray defeated the Wildcats 3-1. Several Hoyas contributed to the victory; junior middle blocker Vanessa Dorismond led the Hoyas with 12 kills, while freshman middle blocker Lindsay Wise and sophomore outside hitter Sara Manley each had 10 kills.
“We have had a lot of great individual performances this year, but we finally came together this week,” Williams said. “It was a great team effort.”
The Hoyas did not immediately take control of the match. In the first set, the Hoyas and the Wildcats battled back and forth until they tied at 10. At that point, Villanova went on a commanding 11-2 run to make the score 21-12. The teams split the next eight points, which allowed the Wildcats to take the set 25-15.
Georgetown responded in the second set and turned the tide of the match. Early in the set, the Hoyas gained a 3-2 lead that they would not relinquish. An 8-3 stretch then gave the Blue and Gray a 14-7 lead. Led by Wise’s impressive four kills and 1.000 hitting efficiency in the set, the Hoyas hit .407 as a team and extended their lead to 13 at one point. Georgetown ultimately won the set 25-15.
The Blue and Gray continued their outstanding hitting performance in the second set with a match-high .414 hitting efficiency. Even though the Wildcats rushed out to an early 8-5 lead, the Hoyas countered with a 10-point streak finished off with two kills from Wise and senior co-captain and right side hitter Courtney Cohen. Cohen and Wise each had two kills during this run and sophomore setter Ashley Malone served for nine of the 10 points. Cohen’s .545 hitting performance helped the Hoyas close out the set 25-15.
“A highlight of the match was seeing Courtney Cohen have a break out performance,” Williams said. “She had an outrageously good efficiency.”
The Wildcats challenged the Hoyas in the third set keeping them to a .163 efficiency. Villanova took a 22-20 lead, but after a Georgetown timeout the Hoyas scored three straight points to go ahead 23-22. The Wildcats reclaimed the lead at 25-24 before three consecutive Villanova errors allowed the Hoyas to win the set 27-25 and match 3-1.
The victory snapped Georgetown’s six-game losing streak and gives them a 2-8 record in the Big East.
“It was a huge win for us,” Williams said. “They are in the top eight in the conference. For us to get that win at their place is a significant win for us.”
The win also keeps the Hoyas’ hopes alive for the Big East tournament.
“We do have a tough road ahead of us,” Williams said. “At 2-8, there is a possibility for us to make the tournament that many didn’t think was there before.”
After a long four-game road stretch, Georgetown returns home to face Cincinnati on Friday at 8 p.m. on Sunday, the Hoyas host Louisville in a 2 p.m. senior day matchup, when seniors Cohen and outside hitter Jessica Hardy will be honored.
“We are excited to be home this weekend,” Williams said. “We have senior day on Sunday. Hopefully we can have some fans there to support our cause.”
