VCU STAGES COMEBACK, BUT GEORGE WASHINGTON HOLDS ON, 3-2
RICHMOND, Va. – Freshman Michala Kvapilova (Liberec, Czech Republic) recorded at match-high 19 kills and led a dramatic Virginia Commonwealth University comeback attempt, but George Washington escaped with a 3-2 (25-23, 25-20, 21-25, 16-25, 15-11) win Wednesday at the Verizon Wireless Arena.
Kvapilova was the driving force for the Rams (13-7) as they dug themselves out of a 2-0 hole. The 6-1 outside hitter, the Colonial Athletic Association’s Rookie of the Week, combined for 10 kills and hit .667 in the third and fourth sets to spark VCU to 25-21 and 25-16 victories, respectively, to tie the match.
The Rams appeared poised to complete the rally when they raced to an 11-9 advantage in the fifth and deciding set. However, a pair of VCU errors, sandwiched around a two kills apiece from the Colonials’ Abby Syverson and Lauren Whyte, doomed the Rams.
Kvapilova hit .432 on the evening and added 12 digs, five blocks and five aces to total a match-high 25.5 points. Rams’ junior Mariel Frey (Lititz, Pa.) added 14 kill and hit .361, while classmate Lenka Melicharkova (Zlin, Czech Repubic) dished 43 assists and dug 24 balls.
MacKenzie Knox was largely unstoppable for GWU, hitting .667 with 13 kills. Katie Butz led four Colonials in double figures with 15 kills. George Washington libero Candace Silva-Martin provided 30 digs and led an 87-74 Colonial edge in the category.
VCU returns to play on Friday, Oct. 9 at the Verizon Wireless Arena, when it hosts CAA-rival UNC Wilmington at 7 p.m. The Rams will also be raising awareness for breast cancer research at the match as part of their Dig Pink campaign.
RICHMOND, Va. – Freshman Michala Kvapilova (Liberec, Czech Republic) recorded at match-high 19 kills and led a dramatic Virginia Commonwealth University comeback attempt, but George Washington escaped with a 3-2 (25-23, 25-20, 21-25, 16-25, 15-11) win Wednesday at the Verizon Wireless Arena.
Kvapilova was the driving force for the Rams (13-7) as they dug themselves out of a 2-0 hole. The 6-1 outside hitter, the Colonial Athletic Association’s Rookie of the Week, combined for 10 kills and hit .667 in the third and fourth sets to spark VCU to 25-21 and 25-16 victories, respectively, to tie the match.
The Rams appeared poised to complete the rally when they raced to an 11-9 advantage in the fifth and deciding set. However, a pair of VCU errors, sandwiched around a two kills apiece from the Colonials’ Abby Syverson and Lauren Whyte, doomed the Rams.
Kvapilova hit .432 on the evening and added 12 digs, five blocks and five aces to total a match-high 25.5 points. Rams’ junior Mariel Frey (Lititz, Pa.) added 14 kill and hit .361, while classmate Lenka Melicharkova (Zlin, Czech Repubic) dished 43 assists and dug 24 balls.
MacKenzie Knox was largely unstoppable for GWU, hitting .667 with 13 kills. Katie Butz led four Colonials in double figures with 15 kills. George Washington libero Candace Silva-Martin provided 30 digs and led an 87-74 Colonial edge in the category.
VCU returns to play on Friday, Oct. 9 at the Verizon Wireless Arena, when it hosts CAA-rival UNC Wilmington at 7 p.m. The Rams will also be raising awareness for breast cancer research at the match as part of their Dig Pink campaign.
