Aug. 30, 2008

Box Score

SAN DIEGO, Calif. - Behind a balanced offensive attack, the 22nd-ranked University of San Diego women's volleyball team cruised past its cross-town rival San Diego State University, 3-0, Saturday evening at Peterson Gym.

With the 25-13, 25-23, 25-15 win, the Toreros remain unbeaten on the season as they improve to 3-0 and claimed the San Diego State Invitational championship. With the loss, the Aztecs fall to 1-2 overall.

Amy Mahinalani DeGroot was named the Tournament MVP after capping off the weekend with a 14 kill performance, while hitting for a .286 clip in the match. Jaimarie Sutherland was the second Torero in double digit kills as she had 12 on 19 attempts while posting a .421 attack percentage. Senior setter Jessica Nyrop was named to the All-Tournament team after posting a double-double in the final match with 36 assists and 10 digs. As a team, USD hit for a .383 clip.

In set one, the Toreros wasted no time in asserting themselves as they jumped out to a 9-2 lead, sparked on a three consecutive Aztec errors and capped on DeGroot kill off a set from Nyrop. USD never looked back as they quickly built up a double-digit lead and cruised on to a 25-13 victory.

In set two, the Aztecs gave the Toreros a run for their money. SDSU would not allow the Toreros to get too far ahead as USD took the early advantage, but the Aztecs stayed to within three. SDSU would go on to take the lead at 8-7 and build their lead up to as many as three on several occasions. Then an attack error by SDSU's Stephanie Darnall knotted the score at 23-23, which forced the Aztecs into a timeout. The Toreros came out of the time out and claimed the next two points on an Ashton Basch kill and an attack error by SDSU's Paije Pearson to give USD a 2-0 lead going into the break.

In set three, USD again asserted itself early and grabbed the momentum by taking a 10-5 lead and never looked back as they would cruise their way to a 25-15 win to complete the sweep over the Aztecs.

USD will return to action on Friday as they head to Los Angeles to compete in the Holiday Inn LA City Center Trojan Invitational. The Toreros will open play against Hofstra in a 10 a.m. match, followed by a 5 p.m. match against Oklahoma.

San Diego State Invitational All-Tournament TeamUSD - Amy Mahinalani DeGroot (MVP)USD - Andrea Csaszi (Libero of the Tournament)USD - Jessica NyropUSD - Ashton Basch