Nov. 2, 2002
SAN DIEGO, Calif. - The 12th-ranked Santa Clara women's volleyball team is starting to draw a lot of attention as the University of San Diego drew a season-high 1,009 fans for Saturday night's match inside the Jenny Craig Pavillion. Much to the dismay of the home crowd the Broncos spoiled their evening as they rolled to a 3-1 victory, improving to 20-3 overall and 8-1 in West Coast conference play.
Santa Clara jumped out to an early 2-0 lead after winning the first two games by scores of 30-25 and 30-23. The Broncos posted hitting percentages of .389 and 3.17 in the first two but saw that average dip in game three, falling down to .143 as they dropped the third game by a 30-20 score.
The Toreros (21-6, 6-3 WCC) and their fans thought they could sense an opening as the two teams traded points in the fourth game, but it was Santa Clara who prevailed in the fourth game by a 30-28 score to win the match.
Junior Becky Potter led the Bronco offensive attack with 21 kills on the night while freshman Cassie Perret added 17. Fellow freshman Alyssa Lantz continued her good play with 12 kills on a .333 hitting percentage.
Junior Kelli Sousa directed the SCU offense with her 52 assists on the night while adding six kills and five digs in the win. Potter posted a team-high 14 digs while Chrissy Hirsch added 13 and Megan Johnston chipped in 12.
The Toreros had three players reach double figures in kills, led by senior teammates Debra Robertson and Noel Frohman who combined for 33 on the night with sophomore Devon Forster adding a team-high 19 of her own. Freshman setter Lindsey Sherburne totaled a match-best 53 assists and sophomore Kristen Hurst had 14 digs.
Santa Clara returns home next weekend for their final WCC home matches of the season when they host Portland and Gonzaga next Friday and Saturday night's. Saturday night's match against Gonzaga will mark Senior Night in which the Broncos will honor Amy Grabill and twin co-captains Chrissy and Cindy Hirsch. Both matches are scheduled for 7 p.m. starts.
