Sept. 24, 2004
SAN JOSE, Calif. - Sisters Toni and Annalisa Muratore combined for 33 kills to lead the 17th-ranked Santa Clara University volleyball team to a four-game victory over San Jose State tonight at the Event Center. The Broncos improve to 7-2 on the season with the 30-32, 30-27, 30-19, 31-29 victory. The Spartans fall to 9-4 overall.
The Muratores were two of six Broncos that posted 10 ore more kills. Toni finished with 17, while Annalisa posted 16. Three Broncos also notched double-doubles: Cassie Perret, Jac Heler and Kristen Luxton.
Santa Clara's defense also played a huge role, as the visitors out-blocked San Jose State 19-9. Annalisa Muratore led the squad with 9, while Perret added 7, Anna Cmaylo 6 and Kim McGiven 5.
San Jose State was led by Sarah Christensen's 15-kill performance, as well as a double-double from Carrie Nash, who posted 14 kills and a match-high 25 digs.
Game one was a battle for both teams. Santa Clara got out to an early 9-3 lead before San Jose State slowly chipped away at the lead to tie the match at 12. During the Spartans' 9-3 run, Christensen recorded three of her 15 kills including the 12th point. Both teams battled back and forth, with Santa Clara again opening up a 28-23 lead. Down 29-25, Nash recorded a kill, Jennifer Senftleben had a service ace, and two Bronco hitting errors led to a 29-29 score. The Spartans final two points came on a Nash kill and a Dana Rudd solo block.
San Jose State took an early 6-2 lead in game two, but SCU slowly chipped away at the lead and led for good at 13-12 on a Brooke Herald service error. The Spartans tried a late rally, down 28-26, but a Perret kill put the match away for Santa Clara.
In game three, the Spartans started flat and let Santa Clara get out to a 17-6 lead. SJSU hit just .039 for the game with 12 kills on 51 attempts and 10 errors. The Broncos meanwhile hit .341 for the frame, with 18 kills and only four errors.
Neither team had more than a three-point lead in the final game. San Jose State tied the match at 27 with a Senftleben service ace. After a Santa Clara time out, Senftleben again served an ace to give SJSU a 28-27 lead. The Broncos then got a Perret kill and a Nash hitting error to take a 29-28 lead. The Spartans tied the match at 29 on a Perret service error, but kills by Heller and Toni Muratore gave Santa Clara the win.
Santa Clara will return home to host 16th-ranked California on Tuesday, September 28. First serve is set for 7 p.m. at the Leavey Center. The athletic department will be celebrating Women's Health & Fitness Day, allowing any fan presenting a gym card to receive two-for-one admission. Additionally, players and coaches will participate in a post-match autograph session.
