STORRS, Conn.- As they wrapped up the Dog Pound Challenge this weekend, the UConn volleyball team had their eyes set on doing something that no team has done in program history: start a season 9-0. 

Brenna Wyman and Hanna Tylska got the start this afternoon against Dartmouth as the Huskies looked to roll over the momentum from yesterday's thrilling five match performance. Tylska and EmmaWerkmeister contributed strong kills in the first set on the offensive end, while blocks from Werkmeister, Audrey Rome, and Loren Winn anchored UConn defensively. However, Dartmouth put together 4 points in a row, helped by the efforts from Kauany Gutz to tie the score at 19. Gutz had a strong start for Dartmouth, pacing the visitors with 8 kills to give the Big Green the first set, 27-25.

Blocks were the story at the beginning of the second set, with more defensive plays from Rome. Winn and Doga Kutlu got involved in the second set effort to send UConn to a 15-10 lead at the media timeout. Energized by her strong play all weekend, Tylska helped put UConn in front 21-15. A combination of Dartmouth errors and a booming kill from Taylor Pannell brought the Huskies level, taking the second set 25-16.

Both teams traded errors early in the third, with a back-and-forth beginning. Werkmeister continued her strong afternoon with three rapid kills to help UConn maintain a slim third set lead. A strong defensive effort from the Big Green got them back within one at 11-10, but UConn stepped up their defensive intensity with multiple blocks, putting them in position to jump in front with a 21-16 third set lead. Taylor Pannell and Tylska combined to get the Huskies in the driver's seat, claiming the third set 25-18.

Errors continued to hurt Dartmouth early on in the fourth set as UConn was able to jump out in front 6-3. Werkmeister continued to lead UConn, stretching the lead to 15-7 as the Huskies looked to close out the Big Green. From there it was all Huskies as they took over the fourth set with a commanding 21-13 lead. After dropping the first set, UConn stormed back to dominate the next 3, taking down Dartmouth and making program history in the process, starting 9-0 for the first time ever.

Gutz led the Big Green with 16 kills, as Dartmouth finished the weekend 2-1.

Of Note: Along with their historic 9-0 start to the season, the Huskies already surpassed their win total from last season (8), making significant strides early on in 2024.

Up Next: UConn heads up to Durham, New Hampshire on Thursday (9/19) to face host University of New Hampshire at 6pm. Dartmouth heads home to kick off the Dartmouth Invitational, taking on Providence College at 7pm on Friday (9/20).