Temple Volleyball Victorious at Palestra in Five Sets Against Providence

Written by: Noah Mazzeo

Photo by: Temple Volleyball

Temple volleyball bested Providence in five sets to open the Sheraton University City Invitational to improve to 5-4 on the year.

Sophomore outside hitter Taylor Davenport led the Owls with 23 kills while fellow sophomore outside hitter Jaaliyah Evans added 11 of her own. Freshman middle blocker Samantha Jo Mikosky came through for the Owls with six total blocks, while Temple sophomore setter Magdalena Rogalska had 36 assists on the day while filling in for fellow sophomore setter Patty Zielinska.

Providence sophomore middle blocker Kayla Grant led the Friars with seven blocks while senior middle blocker Sasha Rudich was second in that category with six. Sophomore outside hitter Shaliyah Rhoden led Providence in kills with 15.

The first set, which saw six lead changes and 15 ties, was won by Providence 26-24. Temple started set two on a 4-0 run and ultimately evened the match in sets with a 25-17 win. By the end of set two, Davenport was leading the match in kills and attacks with 11 and 31, respectively.

Set three was won by Providence 25-14. In this set, Providence senior outside hitter Emma Nelson and sophomore middle blocker Kayla Grant both played well defensively reaching a total of three blocks each, while Rudich notched her fifth.

In set four, Patty Zielinska reentered the match, which sparked a 6-0 Temple run. The Owls battled and forced the Friars into a fifth set. Temple trailed 9-4 early in set 4, but a timeout helped the Owls regroup to win 25-22. 

In set five, the Owls built momentum after Providence narrowed an 11-10 Temple lead. From there, Temple rallied, winning the set 15-11. Providence is now 8-4 all-time against Temple as they fall to 7-3 on the year. 

The Owls are back at The Palestra tomorrow. They play George Washington at 1:30 p.m. and Penn at 5 p.m.