Sept. 20, 2002
DENVER, Colo. - The 19th-ranked Santa Clara University women's volleyball team improved to 9-1 on the season by sweeping previously unbeated Maryland by scores of 30-19, 30-24 and 30-19 in the first match of the Denver Invitational.
The Broncos were led on the evening by freshman Alyssa Lantz and Cassie Perret. Lantz posted a career-high 13 kills on the evening while Perret posted a match-high 15. Junior Becky Potter had her streak of five-straight double-doubles broken but still recorded 13 kills and seven digs.
Kelli Sousa had another outstanding match with her 55 assists and six digs while twin co-captains Chrissy Hirsch and Cindy Hirsch posted 13 and 10 digs respectively to lead Santa Clara's defense.
The loss for Maryland was their first in 12 matches this season, moving their record to 11-1 on the year. Lynnsy Jones led the Terrapins with 10 kills in the match followed by Stephanie Smith's seven. Lindsay Davey recorded 27 assists on the night while Fiona DeFreitas led Maryland with seven digs.
As a team the Broncos posted a .378 hitting percentage that included a .528 mark in game one. Santa Clara limited Maryland to a .139 hitting percentage while registering 22 more digs in the match.
Santa Clara will play twice on day two of the Denver Invitational, taking on No. 8 Minnesota in the first match at 10 a.m., followed by their match against Denver at 6:30 p.m.