Sept. 16, 2003

Box Score

San Diego, CA- No. 21 San Diego took its annual trip across town to play rival San Diego State Tuesday night at the Aztec's Peterson Gym. The Toreros, who have now won five straight, needed just an hour and a half to come away with a three-game sweep over SDSU (30-27, 30-25, 30-24). USD junior Devon Forster (Boulder, CO) continued her stellar play, leading all players with 14 kills. Freshman Christie Dawson (Apple Valley, CA) followed up an all-tournament performance this past weekend with 11 kills and three blocks.

San Diego (8-2) is currently ranked 21st nationally in the latest AVCA Top-25 poll. Key contributions from a number of players have allowed San Diego its early season success. Junior right side hitter Kristen Hurst (Bakersfield, CA) continued to display her well-rounded game Tuesday, blocking a team-high five while killing nine in eighteen attempts. Sophomore setter Lindsey Sherburne (Saratoga, CA), who ranked ninth nationally in assists per game as a freshman, passed out a match-best 45 assists Tuesday. Senior Bridget Merritt (Seal Beach, CA) has emerged in the middle, killing seven and blocking three during USD's sweep over the Aztecs.

A pair of newcomers in Christie Dawson (Apple Valley, CA) and Cassie Wolpern (Belle Plaine, MN), have supplied the Toreros with immediate offense as true freshmen. The duo rank one and two on the team in total points. Dawson shined in her home debut over the weekend, killing 12 during San Diego's rout over No. 19 Long Beach State. Wolpern has immediately assumed a starting role and totaled 17 kills in the Toreros four-game win over visiting Fresno State Friday night.

Looking ahead to the weekend... San Diego plays in a tournament hosted by American University in Washington D.C. The Toreros face host American Friday night at 7pm, then play No. 15 Michigan State Saturday at 1:30pm followed by a night match with Loyola at 7pm.