After losing seven consecutive matches and securing 1 set out of the last 16, the Georgetown University women’s volleyball team (9-15, 2-10 Big East) walked away with a massive upset win on the road at DePaul University (16-8, 8-4 Big East) last Sunday.
The Hoyas arrived in Chicago, Ill., with an 8-15 record, prepared to face the Blue Demons, who stepped on the court with an almost directly inverse 16-7 record. Georgetown earned their first and only Big East win of the season in October against Providence College (7-16, 0-12 Big East), and have not forced a fifth set since their last match against DePaul in McDonough Arena.
Georgetown came out strong in the first set, hoping to secure their second Big East win. First-year middle blocker Berkeley Ploder had a few big blocks in the first set in this homecoming game of sorts, while sophomore setter Emily Wen went for relentless digs against powerful kill attempts by DePaul.
First-year outside hitter Dionna Mitchell grabbed her first ace of the match 10 points into the first set, as the Hoyas continued to stay with the advantage early on in the match. DePaul got beat on service errors and big kills through the middle while Georgetown continued to capitalize on opportunities.
The two teams went tit for tat for the majority of the first set; the Blue Demons needed a big run and the Hoyas continued to shut down their momentum, led by sophomore middle blocker Kamryn Lee-Caracci. Georgetown closed out the first set 25-22, setting what looked like a clear tone for the rest of the match.
The Hoyas came out just as big in the second set, as Lee-Caracci continued to deliver on kills and blocks. DePaul came out uncharacteristically chaotic, as Georgetown’s net play had their offense off balance. The Blue Demons eventually responded and pulled ahead when graduate student pin hitter Audrey Klemp clinched her ninth kill and helped DePaul find their way through the rest of the second set.
The Blue Demons gained momentum as Georgetown Head Coach AJ Bonetti made his first substitution of the game, hoping for a big run in response. The Blue Demons won the second set on a big kill from senior middle blocker Aly Kindelberger, tying up the match heading into the third set.
Fatigue started to set in for Georgetown in the third set, as DePaul came out with the same momentum that helped them clinch the previous set of the game. The Hoyas became predictable, leading to an early 2-7 deficitrun early in the set.
DePaul continued spreading the wealth: Five of their players landed on the stat sheet for at least 6 kills through the third set — a depth that Georgetown simply does not have. However, the Blue Demons’ service errors tied the set up, as Depaul Head Coach Marie Zidek responded with an effective time out, leaving the Hoyas discombobulated and without a clear response. DePaul continued rolling, winning the third set 25-19.
Georgetown needed a big fourth set, grabbing the first point on a tough rally. With DePaul’s early service errors and avoidable mistakes, the Hoyas took charge of this set, going up 18-10 and continuing to build intensity through big kills down the middle.
DePaul responded late in the fourth set, coming back strong to a one-point deficit. Yet, Mitchell wouldn’t take no for an answer, finishing the set strong from the outside and sending the Hoyas to an all-encompassing fifth set.
Before Sunday, the Hoyas were 0-1 in fifth set matches thanks to their last game against DePaul in October. The fifth set was high drama with close balls and challenge calls for both teams. However, Georgetown prevailed and repeatedly produced responses for DePaul’s attacks — a development that no one expected from this team.
Lee-Caracci’s fourth service ace sent the Hoyas into extra points in the fifth set, where Mitchell and junior middle blocker Vaughan Anoa’i secured the victory with massive blocks.
In the end, Bonetti and his young squad stunned DePaul, leading the Hoyas to a 2-10 record in conference play. Senior outside hitter Mary Grace Goyena led the offense with 15 kills, closely followed by Mitchell, with 14 kills. Wen finished the match with an impressive 10 digs and 50 assists, leading the Hoyas’ defensive game.
After securing an outstanding — and unpredictable — win against DePaul, the Hoyas will return to McDonough Arena on Nov. 8 against Providence College.
