Nov. 5, 2005

Box Score

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - The UC Santa Barbara women's volleyball team made history Saturday night in front of a national TV audience, winning its school-record 14th straight home match with a 30-19, 30-22, 30-23 sweep of Cal State Fullerton on College Sports Television.

The Gauchos - who have not lost in the Thunderdome since Oct. 5, 2004 - eclipsed the old mark of 13 straight victories at home split between the 1997 and 1998 seasons. UCSB now won 11 of its past 12 matches to stand at 15-8 overall and 10-2 in Big West Conference play, one full match ahead of second-place Long Beach State in the league standings. Meanwhile the Titans fell to 12-13, 3-8 in the Big West and remain winless in 51 all-time meetings with Santa Barbara.

Both teams were fired up to perform in front of the cameras during an efficiently-played opening frame. Neither squad led by more than a single point until UCSB broke things open at 11-11 by scoring nine of the next 10 points that included consecutive kills by Emily Hendrickson. Even though CSF committed just one error in game one, the visitors could not creep back within seven points the rest of the way. Fullerton hit an impressive .419, but was outshined by the Gauchos who connected at a scintillating .588 clip (23 kills, three errors, 34 swings).

The attacking percentages came back to earth in game two, where the home team led from nearly start to finish. Knotted at 7-7, Santa Barbara pulled ahead by two courtesy of consecutive Titan hitting errors, and later led 19-15 when another Hendrickson serve found the floor. CSF rallied within 20-18 on a kill from Danielle Hitzeman, but three straight points by the three-time defending Big West champs - capped by Lauren McLaughlin's ace - gave them some breathing room. UCSB went into the locker room ahead two games to none after junior outside hitter Janine Sandell connected on one of her match-high 21 put-aways.

Fullerton opened up a quick 5-4 advantage in game three thanks to another Hitzeman slam, but that would be the last lead enjoyed by the visitors as Santa Barbara reeled off a 3-0 run capped by Sandell's kill. The Gauchos' cushion grew as wide as 20-13 following back-to-back put-aways from Brett Quirarte and McLaughlin, who later served up an ace to make the scoreboard read 25-16. Sandell then set up match point with two straight rockets, and fellow junior Olivia Waldowski connected on a step-out spike to secure UCSB's ninth three-game sweep of 2005, and the aforementioned milestone.

Sandell accumulated 20-plus kills for the eighth time this season, and has now led or tied for the team lead in put-aways all but once. Senior middle blocker Megan Blackshire enjoyed her second straight efficient performance with 11 kills and a .474 connection clip. McLaughlin was the third Gaucho in double-figures with 10 slams, while Hendrickson made a match-high 18 digs to go along with her three aces. Sophomore setter Ashley Dutro dished off 50 assists as Santa Barbara hit a season-best .336.

Alyssa Opeka led a trio of Titans in double-digits with 13 kills, followed by Hitzeman and Brittany Moore with 11 and 10, respectively. CSF cooled off after its hot start, hitting just .181 on the evening.

Saturday's match will air on CSTV this Sunday at 3:00 p.m. PST; check your local listings for availability. Meanwhile, the Gauchos play their final pair of conference matches on the road next week, beginning with a Thursday, Nov. 10 showdown at Pacific beginning at 7:00 p.m.