Aug. 26, 2011
Box Score
SAN DIEGO, Calif. - Behind a 16-kill performance from preseason All-WCC selection Chloe Ferrari, the 20th-ranked University of San Diego women's volleyball team rolled in its season-opener, sweeping Long Island University, 3-0 (25-15, 25-16, 25-16), Friday evening in the first match of the Fresno State Tournament.
Ferrari led all players with her 16 kills on 23 swings, while only committing two errors to post an impressive .609 attack percentage, while also recording three blocks. Junior libero Kandiss Anderson recorded a match-best 12 digs, while Rachel Alvey helped steer the USD offense to a .308 attack percentage and she recorded a career-high 34 assists, and nearly had a double-double with nine digs. Carrie Baird and Amber Tatsch both had a good match, as they recorded eight kills a piece and Shelby Staab chipped in with seven kills.
In the first set, the Toreros came out on fire, as a Baird kill off a set from Alvey ignited a 11-0 Torero run to give San Diego all the momentum. Then with the Toreros leading 14-3, LIU went on a 9-3 run to get back to within five, but they could get no closer, as a Tatsch kill sparked a 7-3 USD run to close out the first frame and give San Diego a 25-15 win. As a team, USD hit .318 for this set.
In the second set, the Toreros and Blackbirds were trading point for point in the early going. Then with the score tied at 13-all, a Staab kill jump started a 12-3 Torero run that saw four different USD players record at least one kill and gave USD a 25-16 win, allowing the Toreros to go into the break up two sets to none.
In the third and final set, USD once again came out hitting on all cylinders, as they raced out to a 13-6 lead and never looked back, as they hit .385 in the set to cruise their way to a 25-16 win and complete the sweep.
San Diego will return to action on Saturday, as they resume play in the Fresno State Tournament with a 10 a.m. match against Cal Poly. USD will then play the host Bulldogs in the night cap at 7 p.m. to conclude the first week of action.
