Gunes Twins Record Double-Doubles in Four-Set Loss vs. Virginia

Friday, September 1

New York, N.Y.

4:00 PM

Quinnipiac University

1-3,0-0MAAC

Virginia

2-1,0-0ACC

Virginia

Quinnipiac

Photo by: Ephemia Nicolakis

Gunes Twins Record Double-Doubles in Four-Set Loss vs. Virginia

9/1/2023 6:12:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

By: QU Athletic Communications

NEW YORK, N.Y. – Yagmur Gunes tallied 16 kills and 16 digs for her first double-double of the season, but it wasn't enough as Virginia edged Quinnipiac, 3-1, in the opener of the Columbia Invitational held on Schiller Court inside of Lebien Gymnasium Friday evening.

Leilani-kai Giusta added 15 kills and nine digs, while Damla Gunes recorded a double-double with 34 assists and 11 digs in the loss.

With the loss, Quinnipiac fell to 1-3 in the early campaign, while Virginia improved to 2-1 to begin its season.

LOCATION
Lebien Gymnasium | New York, N.Y.

Records
Quinnipiac Bobcats (1-3) | Virginia Cavaliers (2-1)

VIRGINIA 3, QUINNIPIAC 1

SET ONE (25-22, Quinnipiac)
Quinnipiac jumped out to a quick 3-1 lead before the Cavaliers went on a 5-0 run to take a 6-3 lead in the set. However, the Bobcats fought back in the set and traded points with Virginia to take a slim 13-12 lead, forcing a timeout by the Cavs.

Out of the timeout, the Bobcats pushed the lead to 17-14 before the Cavs battled back to tie the contest at 17-17 to force a Quinnipiac timeout. Out of the break, the two sides exchanged points to a 20-20 tie before three consecutive errors gave QU a 23-20 lead, forcing Virginia to burn its final timeout of the set.

Out of the timeout, Virginia took the first two points before the Bobcats took the final two points to steal the set 25-22.

SET TWO (21-25)
The Cavs got off to a hot start in the second set, taking an 8-4 lead before QU called a timeout. After falling behind 11-4, the Bobcats went on a 5-2 run to trim the deficit to 13-9. Quinnipiac cut the deficit to as close as 23-20, however, Virginia held on for the 25-21 set victory.

SET THREE (22-25)
The two sides traded points to a 4-4 tie before the Cavs went on a 6-1 run to force a QU timeout trailing 10-5. The Bobcats trailed by as much as 14-5 before an 8-3 run trimmed the deficit to 17-13, however, the Cavs countered with two straight points to force the Bobcats to use their final timeout of the set.

Out of the break, the Cavs closed the set on a 5-1 run to go up 2-1.

SET FOUR (22-25)
Virginia opened the set with an 8-3 run, forcing Quinnipiac to call a timeout. After falling behind 12-5, the Bobcats countered with a 6-2 run to trim the deficit to three, forcing a timeout from the Cavs.

Out of the timeout, the two sides split the next six points leaving Quinnipiac trailing 17-14. Quinnipiac cut it to as close as 18-16 in the set before Virginia reached match point at 24-18. The Bobcats kept fighting, fighting to within 24-22, but it wasn't enough as the Bobcats eventually fell 25-22 in the set and 3-1 in the match.

NOTES:

Yagmur Gunes led the Bobcats with 16 kills and 16 digs
It marked the first double-double of the season and fourth of her career
Leilani-kai Giusta notched career-highs of 16 kills and nine digs in the loss
Damla Gunes recorded 34 assists and 11 digs in the contest
The double-double was her second of the season and seventh of her career
Damla Gunes has recorded a double-double in consecutive contests

NEXT UP
The Bobcats will be back in action on Saturday, Sept. 2, when they close play at the Columbia Invitational with matches against Fordham (2:30 p.m.) and Columbia (7 p.m.)

FOLLOW US
To stay up-to-date on news surrounding Quinnipiac volleyball, follow the program on social media @QU_WVB and on gobobcats.com.