Oct. 26, 2001
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The 19th-ranked Santa Clara University volleyball swept Saint Mary's in West Coast Conference action tonight at the Leavey Center behind 14 kills and 13 digs from sophomore Becky Potter. Game scores were 30-27, 30-23, 30-19.
The Broncos improve to 14-7 on the season, 6-2 in the league, while the Gaels' mark falls to 3-16, 0-8.
Potter, who only played two of the three games tonight, led all attackers. Junior Cindy Hirsch and freshman Megan Johnston added 10 kills each for SCU, while Hirsch and her twin sister Chrissy, led the squad defensively with 15 digs each.
Rachel Avilla led Saint Mary's with 11 kills and 10 digs, while Megan Smith added 10 kills and 14 digs.
The teams exchanged leads through most of the first match, until the first Bronco block of the night--by Johnston and freshman Toni Muratore--put the home team ahead 23-21. The Broncos opened that lead to 27-22, but Saint Mary's was able to close within one at 27-26 behind a kill by Rebecca Wood. Three Gael errors and one by SCU closed out game one.
Saint Mary's took a brief 11-9 lead in the second frame before a service ace by senior Merrin Thompson event the match. The Broncos opened a five point lead and registered another timely block, this one by Thompson and Muratore, for the game-winner.
Santa Clara head coach Jon Wallace mixed up his lineup for the third frame and rested his regular starters. Sophomore middle blocker Becky Biniek stepped in with five kills and three blocks as the Broncos took an early led and kept the advantage through the night.
The Broncos continue West Coast Conference action tomorrow, hosting San Diego at 7 p.m. in the Leavey Center. In addition to Youth Spikers Night, where all youths wearing their volleyball jerseys will be admitted for just $2, Just Volleyball will be presenting a Volleyball Memorabilia Roadshow, where Jerseys, volleyballs and other collectibles will be on display near the south side entrance to Leavey.