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USF Volleyball Sweeps Saint Mary's in WCC Action; Collect 20th Win of the Season
Nov. 4, 2006
(San Francisco) - USF volleyball opened its crucial three-match West Coast Conference homestand with an emphatic 30-24, 30-21, 30-20 seep of Bay Area rival Saint Mary's Saturday night at War Memorial Gym. The Dons (20-7, 4-6 WCC) collect their first win against the Gaels (9-12, 4-6 WCC) since completing a sweep in 2003. The victory is the 20th of the season for USF and only the second 20-win campaign in program history, the first coming in 2003 when the Dons qualified for their first ever NCAA Tournament with 23 victories.
It was a huge night for USF sophomore middle blockers Carly Babin and Alix Gombos. Babin tallied a match-high 14 kills on .542 hitting with just two errors in 23 swings, while Gombos added a career-high 13 on .417 attacking. The pair combined for seven blocks, five by Babin, who entered the night ranked second in the WCC in blocks.
Junior outside hitter Kristin Hasselberg enjoyed a strong night with 11 kills and nine digs, while freshman outside hitter Anna Berger recorded nine kills, five digs to go along with a pair of aces. Junior outside hitter Brynn Maurer tallied six kills on .455 hitting and 10 digs.
USF's setting tandem of senior Jamie Kartchner and sophomore Darcy Carroll both turned in strong matches as the Dons hit at an impressive .308 clip with a 60-37 kills advantage. The Dons owned a 54-42 digs edge, although the Gaels owned a 12.5-8.0 blocks lead.
"This is a terrific win for us," USF head coach Jeff Nelson said. "I am really proud of the way we competed tonight against a quality team. It was a great team win and everyone contributed."
Senior middle blocker Christina Kirk tallied 13 kills on .423 hitting for the Gaels, while junior outside hitter Missie Stidham and freshman middle blocker Megan Burton added eight apiece.
USF hosts Loyola Marymount Thursday, November 9 at War Memorial Gym in a crucial WCC contest. First serve against the Lions is set for 7:00 PM.
