Nov. 7, 2004

Box Score

Queens, NY (November 7, 2004) - After leading 2-0 in games for the second match in a row, the Red Storm fell to Villanova, 3-2 (30-23, 33-31, 28-30, 23-30, 11-15) in a BIG EAST conference match this afternoon at Alumni Hall. The Red Storm fall to 15-12 (1-7 BIG EAST) while the Wildcats improve to 8-17 (2-6 BIG EAST).

Junior Jackie Ahlers led the Red Storm attack with 24 kills and 10 digs, while LaToya Blunt added 17 kills and 11 digs. Senior Yana Ruban finished with 13 kills and four blocks and setter Lisa Tedder notched 60 assists and 14 digs. Libero Nicole Colaluca recorded 28 digs in the five-game loss to the Wildcats.

The Red Storm pulled out to an early 18-11 lead in the first game before the Wildcats fought back with kills by Celine Nguyen. Late in the game the Red Storm fought hard, led by an unstoppable defensive effort by Colaluca, and took game one easily 30-23.

Down 1-0 in games, the Wildcats came out strong, with several straight points in the early minutes in game two. But the Red Storm would not let up, scoring several points led by Ahlers and Anicia Wood (6 kills, 11 blocks). Late in the game at 29-29, Blunt connected with setter Tedder several times to out last the Wildcats, 33-31.

In the third game the two teams battled for the ball and were tied throughout the first 15 points. Tied at 22, the Wildcats served several straight points to take the lead, but with offense by Blunt, St. John's rallied back to tie the game at 28. The Red Storm then made two unforced errors to let Villanova take the game at 30-28.

Villanova rallied to a quick lead by aggressive serving by Kacy Sellers in the start of the fourth game. The Wildcats extended their lead to 25-16 with four straight errors by the Red Storm. St. John's fought back late in the game with several unanswered points, but was not enough as Villanova took the game 30- 23, forcing a game five.

In the deciding game, the two teams were tied throughout the sixth point until Villanova pulled ahead 8-6 to switch sides. Although the two teams fought hard, resulting in several long rallies late in the game, the Wildcats pulled ahead and stole the game, 15-11.

The Red Storm returns to action next Saturday when they will travel to Storrs, CT to face Connecticut. First serve is set for 2 p.m.