WASHINGTON (Nov. 1) -- The Georgetown University women's volleyball team lost to cross-town rival American University by a score of 3-2 (6-15, 9-15, 16-14, 15-9, 10-15) on Wednesday, November 1, at Bender Arena on the AU campus. The loss drops the Hoyas to 15-10 overall, while the Hoyas are 5-3 in BIG EAST play. American improves to 21-4 and 7-1 in Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) competition.
The Hoyas struggled in the first two games, but rebounded with solid blocking in the third game and fourth games. The fifth and decisive game was a back and forth affair, however, the Eagles held on for the win. American hit .155 for the match, while Georgetown's hitting percentage was .099, however, the Hoyas held a 21-13 advantage in team blocks. Georgetown junior outside hitter Yulia Vtyurina (Moscow, Russia/Moscow #1415) tied a match-high in kills with 20, along with AU's Judit Szekelyhidi. Vtyurina also posted 14 digs, two blocks and an assist, while Szekelyhidi added 14 digs, four blocks, three aces and an assist.
Sophomore Anna Kleinsorge (Los Altos, Calif./St. Francis) continues her impressive play at the middle blocker's position. Kleinsorge was amazing on defense, finishing the contest with a match and career-high 16 assists, including a 10 solo blocks. She also recorded eight kills, two assists and a dig. Freshman setter Jennifer Ward (Huntington Beach, Calif./Mater Dei) registered a team-high 45 assists in addition to three kills, four digs and two blocks. She also tied a match-high in aces with three.
Sophomore outside hitter Lauren Warner (Santa Clara, Calif./Mater Dei) tallied a team-high 15 digs to go with 11 kills, two blocks and an assist. Freshman middle blocker Laura Hart (Sacramento, Calif./Rio Americano) and senior middle blocker Kaili Stevens (Lenexa, Kan./Shawnee Mission West) contributed both contributed four kills to the losing effort. Hart also notched 14 digs, two blocks and an assist, while Stevens turned in three blocks.
Senior outside hitter Kiran Gill (Naperville, Ill./Naperville North) finally returned to the GU line-up. Despite seeing limited playing time, Gill still posted 14 digs, three kills and an ace. Junior Meg Mullen (Westlake Village, Calif./Westlake) scored 10 digs, two kills and an ace, while senior middle blocker Meg Troller (Elmhurst, Ill./York) had two kills on the evening.
Georgetown returns to BIG EAST play this weekend with Connecticut paying a visit to the Hilltop on Saturday, November 4, for a 5:00 p.m. match. The Hoyas then host St. John's on Sunday, November 5, also at 5:00 p.m.
