OMAHA, Neb. – After suffering their first loss of the 2024 season, UConn volleyball faced their toughest test so far on Sunday, traveling to Omaha to take on #6 Creighton in their second BIG EAST conference match.

Creighton flexed their muscles early, rattling off 3 points to start but an ace from Isabella Suhy and a kill from Emma Werkmeister kept the Huskies around at the start. The Bluejays had a balanced start with five players recording kills, constructing an 11-5 lead to push UConn into a timeout. Three kills from Creighton's Elise Goetzinger extended the advantage to 18-10. Boosted by a .516 hit percentage, the Bluejays snagged the first frame 25-16.

Brenna Wyman got the Huskies going in the second set with their third ace of the match, with Taylor Pannell pouring in two kills to build a slim lead to start the frame 6-4. Creighton responded with a 4-0 run to reclaim the lead, with Jaya Johnson contributing a block and a kill for the reigning BIG EAST favorites. Two kills from Hanna Tylska kept UConn within striking distance, trailing 12-9. A strong Bluejay attack led by Johnson, Norah Sis, and Ava Martin provided the hosts with breathing room to generate at 19-12 advantage in the second. Goetzinger ended the frame with a kill to give Creighton the second set, 25-15.

Looking to close out the Huskies in the third, Creighton went up 5-2, aided by two Martin kills and a Sydney Breissinger ace. Sis got UConn on their heels in the third, with back to back aces getting the visitors talk things over at 11-5. Two blocks from Goetzinger put the Bluejays on the brink, going up 17-9. Two aces from Doga Kutlu were not enough for the Huskies in the third, as Creighton swept UConn to move to 2-0 in BIG EAST play.

Up Next: UConn returns home next weekend, continuing conference play against Georgetown and Seton Hall on Friday night and Saturday afternoon. Creighton welcomes Marquette on Tuesday night to conclude their three match homestand.