DAVIS, Calif. - Despite a strong start in the tournament finale, Santa Clara volleyball was unable to sweep its two matches at the Aggie Invitational as UC Davis rallied to defeat the Broncos 20-25, 25-12, 25-23, 25-22 on Saturday.
Building off its win over Nevada on Friday in the two-day event, the Broncos took the opening set and even after dropping the next two were in line to send the matchup to a fifth set, but the Aggies (2-3) held off a late rally.
After surrendering a five-point cushion early in the set, the Aggies battled back to lead 24-19 before the Broncos scored three straight forcing a timeout from the home team. But nearing a fifth set, a kill from Demari Webb sent the Aggies to their third -straight victory.
Julia Sangiacomo had 12 kills and Michelle Shaffer added 10 for the Broncos who were outhit .310 to .235. Alex Anthony had nine kills and Sophia Tulino chipped in eight.
Anara Aimufua had a match-high 15 kills and Josephine Ought tallied 10 for UC Davis.
NOTES
- The Broncos never trailed in winning the opening set. Julia Sangiacomo led the way with four kills as the team posted a .281 attack percentage.
- An 11-2 run midway through the second set was too much to overcome for the Broncos who were outhit .429 to .000.
- Despite posting a match-best .455 hitting percentage in the third set, Santa Clara was unable to come away with it as the Aggies connected at a .467 clip led by Olivia Utterback who was 5 of 6 on attack attempts. Neither team led by more than two points and the set was tied 14 times.
- Kat Georgiadis had a team-high 12 digs and Sophia Tulino had 10.
- Alex Anthony and Tulino were named to the all-tournament team.
QUOTABLE
We did a lot of good things tonight, but ultimately we did not serve well enough to put pressure on their offense. They were able to get to their middles more than we would have liked. I think we saw again some great potential for us offensively, but we need to be able to serve and defend at a higher level to finish out those close sets.
- Head coach Erin Lindsey
NEXT UP
Santa Clara will play at Kennesaw State in the KSU Challenge on Friday and Saturday. The Broncos will face South Carolina on Friday (1 p.m. Pacific) and Clemson the following day at 10 a.m. Before returning to the West Coast Santa Clara will stop off in Alabama to play Auburn on Sunday with first serve set for 11:30 a.m. Pacific.
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