UConn Volleyball Moves to 6-0, Defeating Buffalo on Sunday Morning
Hamilton, N.Y. - UConn volleyball continued their impressive start to the 2024 season, as they defeated Buffalo on Sunday morning in 4 sets to move their record to 6-0.
The Huskies fell behind early in the first set, bothered by errors and strong play from Buffalo on the offensive end, as the Bulls took a 15-10 lead into the timeout. Consistent with the theme of the weekend, UConn battled back, as the combination of Emma Werkmeister, Taylor Pannell, and Audrey Rome chipped in kills to bring the Huskies level at 20-20. Buffalo miscues and Pannell's strong closing effort lifted UConn in the first set, 25-22.
A back and forth second set was kicked off by UConn kills from Pannell and Jess Perry. A mid-set run in the second set, punctuated by multiple aces from Abby Leigh and Katrin Trebichvaska gave the Bulls another 5-point lead. Blocks from Rome and Loren Winn, along with consecutive Werkmeister kills knotted up the second set at 21 apiece. However, it was Buffalo that took a late momentum surge that tied up the match at 1-1 on the day.
Aces from Werkmeister and McKenna Brand, and another block from Rome got the Huskies rolling early in a critical third set, building a 10-7 lead over Buffalo. Rome kept the positive momentum going with consecutive kills that took UConn into the media timeout with a five-point lead. From, there it was all Huskies in the third set, as Werkmeister's four kills emphatic with two aces helped UConn bounce back and take the third set, 25-14.
The tandem of Winn and Rome again combined for multiple blocks on the defensive end, while aces from Brenna Wyman and Doga Kutlu got the Huskies ahead with a seemingly comfortable lead, 14-7. However, Buffalo did not go away, rattling off six of the next seven points to push UConn into a timeout, with the Huskies still leading by two. Two would be as close as it got in the fourth set, as Pannell, Rome, Werkmeister, and Grace Maria all dialed up the pressure for UConn, as they took the set and match, continuing their torrid start to the 2024 season, starting their season 6-0 after notching only 8 wins all year in 2023.
Up Next: UConn returns home still undefeated to host the Dog Pound Challenge at the UConn Volleyball Center, as they take on Delaware State (9/13), UAlbany (9/14), and Dartmouth (9/15). Buffalo travels to Columbus to play in the Ohio State Buckeye Invite, where they will take on host OSU, Wright State, and Miami (FL).
Latest Women's Volleyball
- Top Dogs: Volleyball Sweeps Butler on Friday NightINDIANAPOLIS, In.- UConn Volleyball hit the road with hopes to run their conference winning streak to four as they faced the Butler Bulldogs at Hinkle Fieldhouse on Friday night.
- Huskies Sweep Providence, Move Home Record to 10-0STORRS, Conn.- Fresh off two strong performances last weekend, UConn volleyball wrapped up a 3 match homestand Wednesday night against Providence at the UConn Volleyball Center.
- Volleyball Takes on Providence and ButlerSTORRS, Conn.- UConn volleyball wraps up their three-match homestand on Wednesday night against Providence before heading back on the road Friday, traveling out to Indianapolis to face Butler. The Huskies won both matches last weekend, evening their BIG EAST record to 2-2 on the season after defeating Georgetown and Seton Hall.
- Huskies Honor 1994 and 1998 BIG EAST Champ Teams, Defeat Seton Hall on SaturdaySTORRS, Conn.- Following a strong performance that lifted them to their first BIG EAST win of the season, UConn volleyball was back in action Saturday afternoon to continue their three-match home stand. The Huskies matched up against Seton Hall, who also picked up their first conference win last night at Providence.
- Volleyball Bounces Back, Sweeping Georgetown on Friday NightSTORRS, Conn.- UConn volleyball returned home Friday night, continuing their BIG EAST slate against the Georgetown Hoyas at the UConn Volleyball Center.
- Volleyball Returns Home to Host Georgetown & Seton HallSTORRS, Conn.- UConn volleyball (12-2, 0-2 BIG EAST) returns home this weekend to continue conference play. The Huskies were stymied on the road against Creighton and Marquette this past weekend and will look to get their first BIG EAST wins of the season against Georgetown and Seton Hall at the UConn Volleyball Center. The Huskies are led by OH Emma Werkmeister on the offensive end. The Junior from Victor, N.Y. is first on the team with 192 kills this season, with 22 coming last weekend in the two road matches. Werkmeister is also top 5 in the country in service aces (37) and aces per set (0.76). Senior Setter Doga Kutlu conducts the attack for the Huskies, with 506 assists. Earlier this season, Kutlu reached 1,000 assists in her UConn career. Defensively, Audrey Rome anchors UConn with 58 blocks on the season. Grad Taylor Pannell is top 3 in blocks (30) and kills (112).