Aug. 30, 2003
SAN JOSE, Calif. - The 14th ranked Santa Clara University women's volleyball team bounced back from its season-opening loss with a 3-1 win over cross-town rival San Jose State Saturday evening at the Event Center in San Jose.
Head coach Jon Wallace made an adjustment to the starting lineup one night after dropping the season opener, moving sophomore Toni Muratore to the outside, which opened up a starting spot in the middle for senior Becky Biniek.
The moved worked just as Wallace hoped it would as Muratore's powerful swing on the outside opened up the middle for both Biniek and Becky Potter. All three players ended the game with double-digit kills, led by Muratore's career-high 22. Potter overcame a slow start to finish with 18 while Biniek posted 13.
As a team the Broncos posted a .323 hitting percentage while limiting the Spartans to a .173 mark. Santa Clara's block was a major factor in SJSU's hitting percentage as the Broncos posted 14 total team blocks.
Kelli Sousa again guided the SCU attack, spreading around the ball to all areas of the court en route to recording 69 assists on the evening. Jac Heler and Cassie Perret each posted a double-double on the night as Heler recorded 12 kills and 13 digs while Perret had 11 kills and 15 digs.
Kimberly Noble and Kristina Conrad led the Spartans'attack with 18 kills apiece while libero Jessie Shull paced the SJSU defense with 20 digs. The loss for the Spartans was their first on the year.
Santa Clara returns to the hardwood next weekend with four matches at the Wildcat Invitational hosted by the University of Arizona. The Broncos will take on No. 10 Arizona in the first match of the tournament before taking on Rhode Island, San Diego State and Miami in the other matches.
