Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

In Final Homestand, Georgetown Splits Pair of Matches Against Tough Teams

It was not a decisive kill, but a net violation was enough for the Hoyas to pull off one of the biggest upsets in their history against Cincinnati.

Although the Hoyas (13-15, 3-9 Big East) split their two home games last weekend, Georgetown was able to compete with the top teams in the Big East, defeating Cincinnati 3-0 on Friday and losing to Louisville 3-1 on Sunday.

Georgetown Head Coach Arlisa Williams described the significance of her team’s Friday night victory.

“This was probably the biggest win in my four years here and what we have been waiting for all year,” she said. “We won against Cincinnati, a team that has already clinched for the Big East tournament.”

In front of one of the largest crowds of the season, Georgetown shocked the Cincinnati Bearcats (19-9, 9-2 Big East). Cincinnati had won its previous three games and junior setter Annie Fesl was named Big East player of the week.

“Our preparation for this week was connecting with setters,” junior middle blocker Vanessa Dorismond said. “We really focused on that.”

That preparation clearly paid off as the Hoyas hit .289, and sophomore setter Ashley Malone contributed 30 assists and four aces. Dorismond hit .429 and finished with nine kills and seven blocks. With 10 digs, sophomore libero Tory Rezin moved into second place on Georgetown’s single-season digs list. She now has 424 on the season.

Cincinnati scored the first few points of the match, but Dorismond responded with two kills and an ace to allow the Hoyas to take a 6-5 lead. Georgetown kept its slim lead throughout the set, as it never led by more than three points. Holding the Bearcats to a .095 hitting efficiency, the Hoyas went on to win the first set 25-23.

The second set followed a similar trend as the Hoyas took an 8-5 lead early on. Once again, the Blue and Gray maintained their lead until the Bearcats were able to tie the set at 17. A time out by Williams allowed the Hoyas to regroup and score four straight points. Georgetown finished off the set 25-21, with kills by sophomore outside hitter Sara Manley and Dorismond. Manley dominated the set with four kills and a .500 hitting efficiency.

In the third set, the Bearcats rushed out to a 3-0 lead. The Hoyas countered, however, with the service of sophomore setter Holly Jacobus. The Blue and Gray went on a 5-0 run to take a lead that they would not relinquish. Freshman middle blocker Lindsay Wise, Manley and Dorismond each recorded three kills as the Hoyas were able to extend their lead to six points.

Behind a match-high .346 hitting efficiency, Georgetown finished out the set 25-21, and the match 3-0. The Hoyas’ ability to close out the match was crucial to the win.

“We have worked very, very hard to finish out matches, and it showed tonight,” Williams said.

The win gave the Hoyas a 3-8 Big East record and hope for the future.

“We have three more matches left and the Big East [tournament] is still possible,” Dorismond said. “We will be striving for the tournament.”

At 9-2 in the Big East, the Bearcats are ranked second in the Big East, one of the best conferences in Division I.

“We handled our business tonight against a very good team and enjoyed the fans in the stands,” Williams said. “I am thrilled with the kids tonight.”

On senior day on Sunday, Georgetown hosted the Louisville Cardinals (15-10, 8-4 Big East) for its final home game of the season. Outside hitter Jessica Hardy and co-captains right side hitter Courtney Cohen and middle blocker Kiersten McKoy – all seniors – were honored prior to the match.

The Hoyas quickly gained a 9-5 advantage, but the Cardinals answered to tie the set at 12. The teams battled back and forth for the rest of the set tying each other eight times. Late in the set, the Hoyas were able to level the set at 23, but Louisville ended the set, 25-23, with two straight kills. Junior outside hitter Kortney Robinson led the Hoyas in the first set hitting .455 with six of her 19 match kills.

At 6-5, Louisville took a permanent lead in the second set. The Hoyas were able to keep Louisville’s lead in check with two kills by Cohen and three blocks by Wise, but they never could regain the lead and lost the set 25-22.

The Blue and Gray refused to go quietly in their final home game of the season.

“We came out after the break and responded,” Williams said. “We took advantage of some of their errors to win the set.”

With the help of Malone’s 16 assists, Dorismond and Robinson hit .625 and .455 respectively and each recorded six kills in the next set. At one point, the Hoyas extended their lead to six points, but the Cardinals would eventually cut the lead to one point at 23-22. A Georgetown timeout and two consecutive kills by Robinson, however, fueled the Hoyas to a 25-22 set win.

Louisville responded in the fourth set, taking a 3-0 advantage that it would not surrender. Kills by Dorismond allowed the Hoyas to come within one point of the Cardinals at 21-20. It would not be enough as Louisville terminated four straight balls, winning the set 25-20 and the match 3-1.

Rezin dug 16 balls, leaving her 32 digs from the record. Malone had yet another impressive setting performance with 57 assists, and Dorismond and Robinson also had great attacking performances. Dorismond recorded 19 kills, and Robinson had 18.

“Vanessa had a good performance, and Kortney was spectacular for us,” said Williams. “I thought that we played very well. We worked very hard, but Louisville is very fast and athletic.”

The Hoyas close out their regular season next weekend on the road against Notre Dame and DePaul.”

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