Nov. 23, 2004
STANFORD, Calif. - The No. 25 Santa Clara University volleyball team closed the regular season with a three-game loss at seventh-ranked Stanford. Game scores were 30-14, 30-19, 30-23. Jac Heler's eight-kill effort led the Broncos, who see their record fall to 18-8. The Cardinal improves to 22-6.
Santa Clara opened the night with a 3-1 lead, but the home squad quickly turned that around to a 9-4 advantage, prompting SCU to talk it over. Stanford's Ogonna Nnamani posted six kills as her team hit .333 in the frame, and held the Broncos to a -.056 mark. An SCU miss-hit secured the first game for the Cardinal.
The Bronco defense picked up in game two, as Santa Clara players were recording impressive digs. An Anna Cmaylo slide put the visitors ahead 6-5, and Santa Clara continued the push, forcing Stanford to take a time out with the Broncos ahead 9-6. The Cardinal regrouped and pushed open a 17-13 lead. A Stanford block set up game point, and the home team took a 2-0 match lead with Nnamani's 10th kill of the evening.
The third game stayed close, but always favored Stanford. A Bronco service error set up match point, but the Cardinal did not convert, committing their own service error. A Jennifer Wilson kill ended the night on Stanford's second opportunity.
Nnamani finished with 15 kills and is now just six away from tying the Pac-10 career record.
Bronco Libero Caroline Walters led all defenders with 12 digs.
Santa Clara now awaits to see if it will be among the 64-team postseaon when the NCAA announces the 2004 Championship bracket on Sunday. The show will air on ESPNews at 3:40 p.m. Pacific Time.
