Oct. 14, 2006

Box Score

Washington, D.C. - The Georgetown University volleyball team dropped a heartbreaking 3-2 (21-30, 30-21, 30-27, 28-30, 15-11) decision to BIG EAST Conference opponent South Florida today at McDonough Arena. The Hoyas drop to 6-13 overall on the year, with a 0-6 mark in league action while USF wins its second-straight, improving to 9-10 overall, 4-2 BE.

In the fifth game, the Hoyas dropped a crucial three points to start the game, giving the momentum to the Bulls. Georgetown would tie the game at eight off a kill from sophomore Jessica Buffum (San Jose, Calif./Lynbrook) but the Bulls would win the next four points for the 12-8 lead, a deficit the Hoyas would not recover from. South Florida went on to win game five, 15-11, and the match, 3-2.

Sophomore Annie Connor (Los Altos, Calif./St. Francis) made a significant impact in game four with six kills, maintaining a .250 attack percentage. Trailing 18-13, three consecutive kills from Connor would start a comeback for GU. Points would go back-and-forth with the Bulls continuing to hold a lead until the Hoyas tied the game at 25 off block assists from sophomore Katherine Niesen (Gainesville, Fla./Eastside) and Connor. A long rally would give the Bulls a one-point lead but Connor answered right back with a kill to level the score once again. A critical net-call against the Bulls would sway the momentum in favor of the Hoyas as they went on to win game four, 30-28.

With two blocks and two kills in five points, the Hoyas pulled ahead, 17-13, in game three. However, a three-point run from the Bulls would open the door for USF. Freshman Kiersten McKoy (Oakland, Calif./Bishop O'Dowd) gave the Hoyas a 24-23 edge with a tip, one of five kills she recorded in the game. However, three kills and a block during a six-point run would give South Florida a 29-24 edge. After a timeout, the Blue and Gray would win three-straight to pull within two, but the Bulls took game three, 30-27.

Game two saw two three-point runs and two four-point runs for the Bulls which would be enough for the 30-21 victory. Connor and Buffum both tallied another four kills apiece in game four, Connor also notching one more block. Niesen led the team in game three with a .667 attack percentage.

The Hoyas took an early 4-2 lead in game one off two kills and one block from Connor as well as a kill to start the game from Niesen. The teams exchanged the lead until Georgetown pulled away, 22-19, behind the serve of sophomore Caitlin Boland (Naperville, Ill./Benet Academy). A critical kill from Connor, a service ace from Buffum, and block assists from freshman Kortney Robinson (Pleasant Grove, Utah/Pleasant Grove) and Connor would be enough to pull the Hoyas ahead, 28-20. A kill from McKoy would end game one, 30-21.

Buffum ended the game with a double-double, recording 17 kills and 14 digs. McKoy led the team with a .409 attack percentage and posted 12 kills and five blocks (two solo, three assists) while Connor finished with 20 kills, five digs and a team-high six blocks (one solo, five assists) while maintaining a .216 attack percentage.

"South Florida is a very disciplined team that played with heart," Georgetown University Head Coach Arlisa Hagan said. "The Hoyas had a great effort and played with passion and intensity. While we came up just short, today was one of our best matches of the season. I am very proud of this team."

The Hoyas return to action on Friday, October 20 when they welcome Rutgers to McDonough Arena for an 8 p.m. BIG EAST Conference matchup.