VILLANOVA, Pa. – The Sacred Heart University women's volleyball team fell to Villanova in straight sets to open the Wildcats' weekend invitational on Friday evening at the Jake Nevin Fieldhouse. 

Records:
Sacred Heart: 1-8
Villanova: 8-3
 
Top Performers:
Camryn Luginbuhl: 11 kills
Gaby Zovko: 19 assists, 4 digs
Dominique Felix: 8 kills, 12 digs
 
How It Happened:
The Wildcats controlled the action over the first 10 points, taking an early 8-2 advantage. SHU cut into the margin over the following couple of points but could not put a sustained run together, falling in the first by a 25-10 final score. 

Sacred Heart took an early lead in the second set, winning four of the first six points. A kill by Kate Anderson and a Camryn Luginbuhl ace highlighted the visitors' 3-0 run. Unfortunately for the Pioneers, a 10-2 run by Villanova gave them a 12-6 advantage. SHU got back within three, 17-14, over the next 13 points but the Wildcats did just enough to hold off the rally, taking the second set 25-17. 

The Pioneers and Wildcats battled tough to start the third set, as the score sat tied at 7-7 through 14 points. Some back-and-forth play ensured before a Villanova 5-0 surge gave it a 16-10 advantage. SHU did not go down without a fight, stringing together a 5-1 run to get within two, 17-15. The Wildcats then matched with a 5-1 run of their own to go up six 22-16. Sacred Heart got within four points before the end of the set but ultimately fell by a 25-20 final score to drop the match in three. 

Luginbuhl led the way for the Pioneers with 11 kills, her fourth straight match with double-digit kills. Dominique Felix also had a strong night, finishing two kills shy of a double-double with 12 digs and eight kills. Anderson was stellar in the middle for SHU with seven kills while hitting .467. Gaby Zovko orchestrated the offense with 19 assists on the team's 29 kills. 

Up Next:
Sacred Heart concludes the Villanova Invitational tomorrow against Temple at 4:30 p.m. at the Jake Nevin Field House.