Gonzaga University
3-12, 0-1WCC
Santa Clara University
10-5, 1-0WCC
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Clara | 30 | 21 | 30 | 30 | 3 |
| Gonzaga | 19 | 30 | 20 | 21 | 1 |
Volleyball Falls Short In West Coast Conference Opener
10/3/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Oct. 3, 2003
SPOKANE, Wash. - For the third time in four years Gonzaga University women's volleyball team played the nationally ranked Santa Clara Broncos tough at home but once again the Bulldogs fell short in their upset bid as the 16th ranked Broncos held on for a 3-1 at Martin Centre. Santa Clara won the match 30-19, 21-30, 30-20, 30-21 to win their 17th match against Gonzaga. The match was the West Coast Conference opener for both clubs with Santa Clara improving to 10-5, 1-0 in the WCC and Gonzaga falling to 3-12, 0-1 in the WCC.
All-West Coast Conference performer Becky Potter led the Broncos attack with a match-high 21 kills as they roared out to an early lead in game one before winning 30-19. Santa Clara connected for a .351 attack percentage in the opening game compared to only a .045 for the Bulldogs. Potter accounted for a third of the Broncos offense as Santa Clara finished with 63 kills on the night.
In the second game Christina Davis powered the Bulldogs to the win as she knocked down five of her team high 14 kills in the 30-21 win in game two. The Bulldogs used a .379 attacking percentage in the second game as the hitting tables turned with Santa Clara registering a .047 clip.
In games three and four Toni Muratore and Potter took over the contest. Santa Clara pulled away from a 16-16 tie in game three to outscore the Bulldogs 14-4 down the stretch. Muratore added 17 kills on 32 attacks for Santa Clara while Cassie Perret rounded out the double-digit Broncos with 10 kills.
Gonzaga also had 12 kills from Abby Cullen and 11 from Lauren Armas as Gonzaga finished with 45 team kills. Heather Signor led all players with 18 digs as she climbed up the Bulldogs career digs list to sixth place with 1,057. With five digs on Saturday night against San Diego Signor will move into fifth place ahead of former All-WCC setter Erica Cordy.
Gonzaga hosts No. 19 San Diego at 7 p.m. in the Martin Centre while Santa Clara travels to Portland. The Toreros knocked off Portland 3-0 in Friday night action.
