@BIGEASTdigital Features Pair Of #BIGEASTvb Matches With Two Weekends Left To Season
Volleyball Update - 11.10.17 (PDF)
NEW YORK – Starting Friday there are 18 matches left to play in two weekends of the 2017 BIG EAST Volleyball season. Two of those matches will be featured on the BIG EAST Digital Network this weekend, with Villanova at DePaul on 1 p.m. on Friday (ET) and No. 14 Creighton at Xavier on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. (ET). Creighton is the first to qualify for the league tournament. With a pair of wins this weekend, the Bluejays could also clinch a share of their potential fourth-straight BIG EAST title.
On the schedule this weekend, Georgetown and Villanova travel to Marquette and DePaul. Creighton and Providence are at Xavier and Butler and St. John’s hosts travel-partner Seton Hall.
Teams On the Rise
Creighton and Butler have put together impressive win streaks with two weekends left to play. The Bluejays have won nine, the Bulldogs six. Creighton has been led by Jaali Winters at 3.71 kills per set in the span, hitting .258. Libero Brittany Witt has averaged 5.00 digs per set. Butler’s Bri Lilly has led with 3.33 kills and 1.08 blocks per set in the streak. Makayla Ferguson has averaged 11.3 assists per set.
This Weekend on @BIGEASTdigital
VILLANOVA AT DEPAUL, Nov. 10 at 1 p.m. ET
With four matches left to play, Villanova is still alive in the playoff hunt. The Wildcats could finish out on a win streak and a 12-6 potential final record, putting them in contention for a tournament berth. The Wildcats had put together an eight-match streak where they went 7-1 from Sept. 29-Oct. 21. The only loss was to Seton Hall, 3-1. Villanova is 1-3 since then and is looking to get on track behind Allie Loitz who ranks ninth in the conference in kills per set (3.32) and leads the BIG EAST in aces per set (0.40, 29 total). Senior Allison Fitzgerald has stepped it up in the defensive specialist role averaging 3.34 digs per set. DePaul’s Brittany Maxwell is seventh in the league in kills per set with 3.37. Claire Anderson ranks 15th in kills per set with 2.89. Caitlyn Coffey ranks ninth in blocks per set with 0.92. DePaul lost to Villanova, 3-2, in their previous meeting.
CREIGHTON at XAVIER, Nov. 11 at 12:30 p.m. ET
Already a lock in the BIG EAST Championship field, Creighton is looking at a potential regular season title-clinching weekend, starting with a match at Xavier. The Bluejays need to win two to earn at least a share of the title. Xavier needs finish out its season on a winning note to be considered for would be the fourth and final spot. Anything less than a 9-9 final record would count the Musketeers out. The Bluejays have won their last nine. Xavier had put together a three-game streak before losing to travel-partner Butler last weekend. Creighton’s personnel talent runs deep with sophomore libero Brittany Witt earning her fourth BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week nod on Monday. Witt averages 4.20 digs per set this season. Junior outside hitter Jaali Winters earned a spot on Monday’s honor roll. Winters ranks sixth in the league in kills per set (3.42). Her teammate Lydia Dimke, a senior ranks second in assists per set (10.58). Xavier libero Meredith Klare leads the league in digs with 4.46 per set. Xavier suffered an early loss of Kristen Massa for kills. Laura Grossman ranks 19th in the league at 2.60 kils per set. Alexis Newsome ranks 13th in hitting percentage (.287). Creighton swept Xavier in their previous match this season.
Tournament Snapshot
With two weekends left - Creighton has clinched one of the four BIG EAST Championship presented by Jeep spots. Three remain for seven teams who still have a shot. Marquette can be the second team to qualify with a win this weekend. The Golden Eagles are the tournament hosts this year and are 12-3 currently. Creighton is looking to lock up a No. 1 seed and at least a share of the title this weekend with a pair of wins. The Bluejays play at Xavier and Butler. Currently in third is Butler at 10-4, followed by Seton Hall at 9-6. Villanova is close behind at 8-6.
Upcoming #BIGEASTvb
Friday, Nov. 10
VILLANOVA at DEPAUL at 1 p.m. (BEDN)
GEORGETOWN at MARQUETTE at 8 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 11
CREIGHTON at XAVIER at 12:30 p.m. (BEDN)
SETON HALL at ST. JOHN’S at 2 p.m.
PROVIDENCE at BUTLER at 5 p.m.
VILLANOVA at MARQUETTE at 7 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 12
CREIGHTON at BUTLER at 1 p.m.
PROVIDENCE at XAVIER at 1 p.m.
GEORGETOWN at DEPAUL at 2 p.m.
All times listed are Eastern.