Sept. 16, 2008
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara volleyball defeated Sacramento State, 3-0, Tuesday night to open the home schedule at the Leavey Center. The final set scores were 25-16, 25-20, 26-24. The Broncos (7-2) were led by Brittany Lowe and Anna Cmaylo's match-high 12 kills.
Freshman Tanya Schmidt added 10 kills for the Broncos and a match-high four total blocks. She also compiled a team-best 61.5 hitting percentage (10-2-13). Senior Taylor O'Brien once again tied her season-high 15 digs against the Hornets.
SCU opened the match with back-to-back kills by Schmidt and then climbed to a 4-1 lead on a kill by Lowe. The Broncos continued to hold the lead, doubling the Hornets score, 12-6, on a kill by Schmidt. A solo block by Krista Kelley brought the Broncos to 20-points, 20-12, and a kill by Nina Sevastopoulos made the score, 24-15. Sacramento State tried to hold off Santa Clara from taking the match, but a kill by Lowe closed out the set, 25-16.
Although Santa Clara started the second set 2-0, Sac State quickly knotted the score and then took a two-point lead, 7-5, on a Bronco error. The Hornets held the advantage and increased their lead to four-points, 10-6, on a kill by Whitney Mendivil. SCU began to chip away at the lead and brought the score within one, 11-10, on a kill by Schmidt. The Broncos then tied the set, 11-11, and the two teams battled point-for-point once again. Santa Clara regained control of the scoreboard with four straight kills - one from Lowe and Cmaylo, and two by Sevastopoulos - to make the score 16-14. Despite the Hornets' attempt to rally back, the Broncos kept their composure and reached set point on a solo block by Lowe. SCU won set two on a Sac State error, 25-20.
The Broncos started off with a 4-1 lead after the break but the Hornets rallied to tie the set, 8-8. The set was tied 13 times after that as both teams struggled to gain control of the scoreboard. The Broncos finally reached set point on a block by Lindsy Davigeadono and Cmaylo, 24-23; however, an attack error knotted the game, 24-24, for the 14th time of the set. Sevastopoulos gave Santa Clara a second try at winning the match, 25-24, and kill by Lowe brought the match to a close, 26-24.
The Broncos return to action with two matches on the road against the 49ers of Long Beach State. First serve for both matches is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Walter Pyramid.
