Oct. 9, 2010

Box Score

SPOKANE, Wash. - Despite coming out strong and winning the first set, the Gonzaga University women's volleyball team dropped a 3-1 decision to Santa Clara University Saturday at the Martin Centre. The Bulldogs began the match with a 26-24 first set victory but allowed the Broncos to win the next three 25-17, 25-22, 25-21. The Zags have now lost 16-straight, are 2-18 overall and 0-4 in West Coast Conference action. The Broncos improved to 11-7 on the year with the victory and evened their conference record at 2-2.

"Our mindset at key times wavered today and we have to be on task, knowing we are going to take care of the next play," explained second-year head coach Dave Gantt after the match. "We are asking a lot of the team because we have to play at such a high level of efficiency in these matches. I think though that it is realistic that we can play at that level."

Gonzaga finished the match with 46 team kills, its highest kill total in conference play this season, and had 26 hitting errors on 145 total attempts for a .138 attacking percentage. Sophomore Jessie Genger and senior Kelsey Bashaw had break out matches for the Bulldogs. Genger tallied a team-high 12 kills, one off tying a career-high, and had a career-high 12 digs in the match to collect her first career double-double. Bashaw added 10 kills and a match-high .381 hitting clip. Bashaw's 10 kills tied a career-high. The outside hitter previously had 10 kills at the University of San Francisco Oct. 15, 2009.

"I think digging the ball kept us in the match and serve and receive were solid in the first, third and fourth sets," stated Gantt. "Denny [Van de Mortel] did good job running the offense and I certainly like how Kelsey contributed offensively for us today."

Van de Mortel collected her seventh double-double of the year in the four-set setback. She passed out 43 assists and dug 17 balls, a season-high. Van de Mortel also added six kills and one block in the match.

Gonzaga had more digs in the match than Santa Clara at 67-63. Besides Van de Mortel and Genger, senior liber Allyson Powell kept the Zags in the match with 16.

Santa Clara ended the match with 16 more kills than Gonzaga with 62. The Bronocs had also had 23 errors on 164 attempts for a .238 hitting percentage. Four SCU players finished the match with double-figure kills, including Kayla Lommori who tallied a match-high 16. Dana Knudsen and Tanya Schmidt both added 12, while Kaleigh Durket chipped in 11.

Gonzaga returns to action Thursday when it plays at Pepperdine University. Match is set to begin at 7 p.m.