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

VOLLEYBALL | Georgetown Hopes For Home Sweep

After spending two consecutive weekends on the road, the Georgetown volleyball team (10-10, 2-5) comes home this weekend to face St. John’s (9-14, 0-6) on Friday and Connecticut (11-10, 1-5) on Sunday.

The Hoyas fell to Villanova in straight sets last weekend, a loss that left Head Coach Arlisa Williams disappointed in her team’s performance.

“We just made errors at the wrong time [against Villanova],” Williams said. “I think all of us are a little disappointed in our [league] win-loss record. Everybody’s been doing some really good things, we’re just not doing them at the same time,” she noted.

Despite the loss, the Blue and Gray showed some bright spots, including multiple good rallies. They out-dug the Wildcats thanks to a strong effort from senior libero and captain Tory Rezin, who had a match-high 16 digs. Despite this advantage, the Hoyas still have plenty of work to do, and the team will look build on these strengths to remedy their weaknesses this weekend. To that end, practice this week has focused on the Hoyas’ side of the net.

“We’re taking care of our stuff, that’s been the mantra for several weeks now,” Williams said. “If we can’t pass in system, if we can’t terminate, and if we can’t serve in the court, the other things don’t matter. ”

St. John’s comes into the match winless in the Big East but their constantly changing lineup, with eighteen different players getting time during the season, makes them a tough team to prepare for. And despite their record, the Red Storm is ranked seventh (.207) in hitting percentage in the Big East, one spot ahead of the Hoyas.

Individually, St. John’s is led by two seniors in hybrid outsider hitter/middle blocker Darlene Ramdin and outside hitter Brunna Kronbaeur, who have 256 and 198 kills, respectively.

“[Kronbaeur] is solid for them in passing and terminating, and we need to game plan for her,” Williams said. “They haven’t won a conference game yet, and we can’t figure out why. They’re good, and we can’t take them lightly.”

The Huskies will come into McDonough at the bottom of the league as well, although they have a potent offense that ranks third in the league in hitting percentage (.226) and will pose another challenge to the Blue and Gray.

The Connecticut outside hitters have carried the team all year, outside hittersled by senior Jordan Kirk and junior Mattison Quayle, who was named Big East player of the week last week, lead the team with 242 and 227 kills, respectively. They also both own impressive hitting percentages. Limiting their effectiveness is the key to a Hoya victory.

“We do have to respect the middles, but our job is going to be to stop their outside hitters,” Williams said. “Quayle and Kirk can both hit the line, which makes them even more dangerous.”

Thus far senior setter Ashley Malone and freshman middle blocker Dani White have been very strong for the Hoyas, as Malone ranks fifth in the league in assists per set with 10.29 and White ranks third in the league in hitting percentage with a .320 average.

Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. Friday against the Red Storm and 2 p.m. Sunday against the Huskies. Both teams will come to the Hilltop ready to play.

“We have a target on our backs. Everyone wants to beat Georgetown, and coaches are telling their teams that we are a team they can beat,” Williams said. “We’re going to really have to take care of business.”

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