Good Morning, Nova Nation 11/7: Striving For Six

'Cats Back In Action, Looking To Extend Win Streak

Author

Sydney Fields
November 07, 2025

The Official Newsletter of Villanova Athletics

Good Morning, Nova Nation! For the first time all fall, the ‘Cats are sitting in the top-10 and they’re hitting the road for more this weekend!

What all do we have in today’s edition? Check it out below!

🏈 Striving For Six
🏑 Power Pair
🏐 Down The Stretch
🔷 And much more!

Tommy’s Tavern + Tap is proud to be an Official Partner of Villanova Athletics!

🔼 Striving For Six. The top-10 ranked Villanova football team returns from its bye week and hits the road for another CAA battle, this time right down I-95 to Towson.

Last year, the Wildcats won a thriller, 14-13, to win their second straight and third in the past four meetings over the Tigers.

The last win at Johnny Unitas Stadium came in 2019 when the ‘Cats won a 52-45 overtime heart stopper in Towson.

Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.

🔼 Home Sweet Home. After going toe-to-toe with #8 BYU earlier this week, the Villanova men’s hoops squad is set to open its 2025-26 home slate with a Saturday night showdown with Queens.

Tip time is set for 7 p.m.

🔼 Power Pair. Graduate student Ava Borkowski has been named Co-Offensive BIG EAST Player of the Year, the conference announced this week. Borkowski also earned a spot on the All-BIG EAST First Team, while junior Gemma Lysaght was selected to the All-BIG EAST Second Team for the second consecutive season.

This marks Borkowski's first career Player of the Year honor and her second appearance on the All-BIG EAST First Team after being recognized on the Second Team a season ago. Lysaght's selection is the second All-Conference honor of her career, highlighting her continued consistency and impact on both ends of the field.

🔼 Down The Stretch. The Villanova volleyball squad has officially entered the home stretch with their eyes locked on securing a spot in the upcoming BIG EAST Tournament.

The final midweek bout of the season was domination for the ‘Cats, downing the Georgetown Hoyas in straight sets (25-17, 25-17, 25-18) on Wednesday night at the Jake Nevin Field House.

Abby Harrell paced the match with the day's lone double-double (match-high 16 kills, 11 digs) as Taylor Lewis added an error-free nine terminations on a career-high .600 hitting for Villanova.

🔼 Our City. The Villanova men's golf team rounded out its fall schedule with a victory at the Big Five Championship hosted by Penn at The 1912 Club Thursday. 

After being delayed a week and relocated due to weather, the tournament was well worth the wait for the Wildcats, who shot 293 (+13) en route to victory. Matt Zerfass took home the individual title, the first of his career, shooting 69 (-1) on the day. 

🔼 Making Waves. Senior Arabella Lee of the Villanova swim program has been named the BIG EAST Female Athlete of the Week. Lee earned first-place finishes in two individual events during Villanova's victory over La Salle on Saturday.

Her first win of the day came in the 100 Back with a time of 55.78. This puts her eighth on Villanova's all-time performers list. Lee also took first in the 100 Fly, setting a new pool record with a time of 54.99. The record-breaking performance also stands as the fastest time in the BIG EAST this season.

🔼 Super Saddiq. It was a perfect time for his first 20-point outing in over a year as former ‘Cat Saddiq Bay earned Player of the Game accolades as the New Orleans Pelicans earned a hard-fought 101-99 victory at Dallas on Wednesday night.

Bay finished with a team-high 22 points, including four 3-pointers and grabbed nine rebounds in the win. It was his first 20+ point outing since March 6, 2024 against the Cavaliers.

What’s Ahead is brought to you by our friends at Visit Delco, the #1 source for information on all there is to see and do in Delaware County, PA. Find fantastic places to stay, incredible food and drink, and music and art—and you may even find a few surprises.

Friday, November 7
🎸 Jamey’s House Of Music
⚽️ Men’s Soccer at Marquette @ 7 pm
🏐 Volleyball at Creighton @ 8:30 pm
🎾 Men’s Tennis at Dragon Invite

Saturday, November 8
🍔 Food Truck Frenzy at Linvilla Orchards
🏈 Football at Towson @ 1 pm
🏀 Men’s Basketball vs. Queens @ 7 pm
🚣 Women’s Rowing at Marist
🏊 Men’s Swimming at Providence
🎾 Men’s Tennis at Dragon Invite

Sunday, November 9
🎁 Haverford Guild of Craftsmen Holiday Art & Fine Craft Show
🏀 Women’s Basketball vs. VCU @ 2 pm (Toronto, Canada)
🎾 Men’s Tennis at Dragon Invite

Tuesday, November 11
🇺🇸 Veterans Day Parade In Media
🏀 Men’s Basketball vs. Sacred Heart @ 7 pm

Wednesday, November 12
🍎 Oakmont Farmers Market
🏊 Women’s Swimming vs. Rider @ 5:30 pm
🏀 Women’s Basketball vs. Princeton @ 7 pm

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Have a great one, Nova Nation!