University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
UMKC
Huskies Split the Day at Bradley Invitational
9/15/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Peoria, Ill. - The UConn volleyball (6-5) team split a pair of decisions on day one of the Bradley Invitational on Friday. The Huskies began the day with a sweep, 3-0, against UMKC, before falling to host Bradley in straight sets, 3-0.
Redshirt-sophomore Kayla Williams finished the day with a team-high 15 kills, while junior Kennedy Arundel led the way in digs (31) and aces (3). Senior Tosin Adeniyi had a big defensive outing, posting a combined seven total blocks in two matches.
UMKC Recap (3-0)
The Huskies defeated the Kangaroos (4-7) in straight sets to grab game one of the Bradley Invitational. UConn was led by Williams who completed her second straight match with a double-double (15 kills, 10 digs). Redshirt-freshman Genna Florig led the team with three blocks while joining Williams as the only other Husky to post double digit kills (10). Junior Kennedy Arundel tallied a team-high 19 digs while classmate Emma Turner led the way with 35 assists.
Set One
UConn grabbed set one, 25-19, behind seven kills from Williams. Additionally, Williams notched the Huskies only ace in the set, while Arundel notched eight digs defensively. As a team, UConn led throughout the entirety of the set, holding their opponents to .033 hitting percentage.
Set Two
UConn improved to 2-0 after a hard fought second set, nudging UMKC by two points. The set saw four lead changes as the score was locked seven different times. The Huskies were able to come out on top after posting 14 kills to their opponents 10. Turner turned in an impressive performance in the set, posting 10 assists, three kills, three digs and one ace on the team's way to a 26-24 win.
Set Three
A set-high six kills by Florig was the push UConn needed to down the Kangaroos, 25-21, for their fifth sweep of the season. Turner tallied all 13 assists in the set, while Arundel snagged five digs and recorded the teams only service ace. The set went back and forth as both teams spent time in the lead, but in the end it was the Huskies who persevered and came out on top.
Bradley Recap (0-3)
Despite a match high seven team blocks by the Huskies, the Braves (5-7) offense proved to be too strong to handle. Bradley was paced by Erica Haslag's match-high 14 kills. Florig notched her second straight match with double digit kills (10), while Williams and Arundel tallied 12 digs apiece to headline the defense.
Set One
Bradley held the edge in set one, never conceding their lead to the Huskies on their way to a close 25-23 victory. UConn threatened multiple times throughout the set, cutting the deficit to one, but they couldn't find the spark to climb past their opponents.
Set Two
The Huskies dropped a heartbreaker to Bradley, 28-26, after battling back from a six-point deficit. Throughout the set, the two teams saw a lead change seven different times- including a late lead by UConn at 24-22. Two kills by the Braves made it a gridlock at 24-24 before the host team used their home court advantage and fought to a final two point victory.
Set Three
Bradley seemed to have UConn's number in the final set as the Braves rolled to a 25-19 win for the straight set sweep. Despite knotting the score multiple times early in the set, UConn was never able to claim the lead from their opponents. Freshman Ally Barrett recorded four kills to lead the squad, while Elizabeth Kline added an ace for the team.
The Huskies are back in action Saturday, Sept. 16 against Grand Canyon on the final day of the Bradley Invite. The contest is slated to begin at 10:30 a.m. (ET).
