Oct. 7, 2005

Box Score

FULLERTON, Calif. - The UC Santa Barbara women's volleyball team evened its overall record and moved into a first-place tie in the Big West Conference standings Friday night by rallying for a 28-30, 30-18, 31-29, 30-27 victory at Cal State Fullerton.

The Gauchos have now won a season-best three straight matches to even their record at 7-7 and improve to 3-1 in league play. They share the top spot with CSF, which now stands at 11-6, 3-1. UCSB has never lost to the Titans, now leading the all-time series by an incredible 50-0 margin.

However Fullerton did end one streak of futility as its opening frame victory was their first against Santa Barbara since October 13, 2000 in Titan Gym, a span of 27 straight games and nine matches. As has been typical in 2005, the Gauchos got off to a slow start, hitting just .095 in game one while the home team connected at a .295 clip.

UCSB rebounded with a resounding 30-18 triumph in the second frame, never trailing in the process. Things weren't so easy following the break as the visitors fell behind CSF 20-17 and later at 27-23. However Santa Barbara stormed back with four straight points, and then took the final three to pull out its first victory of the season in a game lasting past 30 points. Eight Santa Barbara points in the third frame came courtesy of Janine Sandell kills.

The Titans also led for much of game four until UCSB evened the score at 19-19. The three-time defending Big West champs then used a 4-0 run to pull ahead 23-20, and wouldn't relinquish their advantage the rest of the way.

Sandell led the Gaucho attack for the 13th time this season with 18 kills, while senior middle blocker Megan Blackshire pounded home 14 balls while only committing one error for a .481 attack percentage. Freshman Lauren McLaughlin matched her career best of 13 put aways and sophomore Brett Quirarte's 11 slams established a new personal best. The Long Beach, Calif., native connected at a sparkling .550 clip.

With 28 digs junior libero Emily Hendrickson equaled her career high, while sophomore setter Ashley Dutro enjoyed her first double-double of the season with 49 assists and a personal best 15 scoops.

Sarah Morrison's 23 kills led all players, while Breanna Trudeau was the only other Titan to reach double-figures with 11 put-aways. Fullerton out-blocked UCSB 12 to seven, led by Amanda Pfielschiefter's six stuffs.

The Gauchos will look to continue their momentum on Saturday when they travel to UC Riverside for a 7:00 p.m. Big West showdown.