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 | GU Defeats Butler in Final Game

The Georgetown volleyball team concluded its 2018 season Nov. 17 with a win over Big East rival Butler in three straight sets.

Freshman outside hitter Elissa Barbosa had 76 kills and 126 digs this season.
Kirk Zieser/The Hoya

Georgetown (17-13, 10-8 Big East) jumped out to an early 7-2 lead in its final game of the season behind three straight kills from junior outside hitter Iva Vujosevic, senior middle blocker Symone Speech and senior outside hitter Alyssa Sinnette.

However, Butler (9-21, 6-12 Big East) battled back, drawing the score even at 14-14 and prompting Georgetown to call a timeout. The Bulldogs continued to apply pressure following the break, stretching their lead to 19-16 behind a 5-2 run.

After a timeout, the Blue and Gray went on runs of 5-3 and 4-1 to win the set 25-23.

The start of the second frame saw the Hoyas and Bulldogs deadlocked at 8-8. Georgetown pulled ahead with a 6-1 run to open a 14-9 lead and did not look back, outhitting Butler 46 percent to 12 percent in the set on its way to a 25-15 win.

Butler countered with an early 3-1 lead in the third frame, but could not maintain its momentum. Georgetown used a 6-1 run to push its lead to 7-4. The Hoyas continued their offensive dominance, extending their lead to 14-8 and forcing a Bulldog timeout. Georgetown won the final stanza 25-17, claiming a sweep of Butler in the season series.

Georgetown’s offense carried the team throughout the match. Sinnette recorded her sixth double-double of the season with 10 kills and 10 digs. Vujosevic contributed 10 kills, while Speech added eight kills. Sophomore setter Margo Pivonka had a game-high 31 assists and three service aces.

Senior libero Kenzie Higareda and freshman middle blocker Brennan Wilhite commanded the Hoya defense, as Higareda registered 15 digs and Wilhite recorded three blocks.

Under first-year head coach Toby Rens, Georgetown finished with its most overall wins since 2004 and its most wins in the Big East since 2001.

Last Wednesday, Nov. 21, two Hoyas, Speech and Sinnette, were named All-Big East for the first time since 2002. Speech was a unanimous selection on the first team, while Sinnette was voted to the second team.

The Hoyas is set to graduate five seniors: Speech, Sinnette, Higareda, outside hitter Olivia King and right side Alexandra Rivera. Sinnette registered 1,369 kills in her four years on the Hilltop, while Speech notched 1,350 kills in her career.

Despite having to replace the performances of its five seniors, Georgetown is looking to build off this year’s success in the 2019 season.

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