University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
2-2,0-0Big East
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Kansas
6-0,0-0Big 12
Huskies Fall in Black Knight Invitational
9/3/2022 11:12:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
WEST POINT, N.Y. – The UConn women's volleyball team closed out the Black Knight Invitational with losses to No. 20 Kansas and Army on Saturday.
In the three-game tournament, senior Jasmine Davis led UConn with 27 kills (2.70 kills/set). Junior Taylor Pannell had 1.10 blocks per set.
Match 1: No. 20 Kansas 3, UConn 0 (14-25, 14-25, 14-25)
The Huskies had a tough draw to start the day as UConn faced the 20th-ranked team in the nation for the second straight weekend. Davis led UConn with seven kills against the Jayhawks while three Huskies had six digs each.
The Huskies kept up with the Jayhawks to start the match. UConn tied the set at 8-8 off a block from Pannell and senior Allie Garland before Kansas went on a 6-0 run to pull ahead. The Jayhawks finished the set on a 8-2 run.
UConn had its best offense in the second set, notching 10 kills. The set was again closely matched for the first half. Senior Karly Berkland served an ace as the Huskies trailed by three, 13-10. Senior Kennadie Jake-Turner and Davis had late kills, but the Jayhawks pulled ahead to take a 2-0 match lead.
Garland and Pannell combined for a block in the third set and senior Mia Ruffolo and David had aces early in the third set. The Huskies weren't able to find a rhythm as the Jayhawks pushed on to the match win.
Match 2: Army 3, UConn 1 (18-25, 27-29, 25-22, 17-25)
UConn faced host Army in the final match of the invitational. Pannell (12) and senior Caylee Parker (11) set season highs for kills. Pannell led the team with six total blocks. Berkland had a season-high 19 digs. Freshman Emma Werkmeister had her first career start against Army.
UConn had 10 total blocks vs. the Black Knights.
The teams were evenly matched in the first set until a 7-1 run pushed Army ahead, 17-11. The teams traded points for the rest of the set, and the Huskies had four late kills.
UConn had a slow start to the second set, falling behind 10-1. Parker stepped up to knock down seven kills in the set. The Huskies picked up four blocks as UConn used a 5-1 run to pull within three, 20-17. Ruffolo had an ace as UConn used another 4-0 run to tie the set, 21-21. The Huskies were able to get to set point, 25-24, before two straight points put Army at set point. The teams traded points, but Army won the close set, 29-27.
The Huskies and Black Knights were again closely matched in the third, but UConn had a 5-1 run to push ahead, 17-13. Army came back within one point, but the Huskies were able to capitalize on Army errors to keep the lead. Jake-Turner put the Huskies at set point, 24-21, and Parker knocked down the set-winning kill, 25-22.
The Black Knights took a 10-5 lead in the fourth but four straight UConn kills put the set at 11-10. Army went on another run but Jake-Turner, Parker and senior Madi Whitmire had kills as UConn was down, 19-14. Davis had UConn's last two kills, but Army finished off the set, 25-17, and the match.
The Huskies are back in action next weekend at the USD Invitational. UConn will face off against host San Diego, Utah and SMU.
