Sept. 4, 2010

Box Score

BOISE, Idaho - The Gonzaga University women's volleyball team played the University of Washington, currently ranked No. 9 in the nation, tough in its final match of the Northwest Challenge, but fell to its regional rival 3-0 (15-25, 21-25, 17-25) at Bronco Gym in Boise, Idaho. The Bulldogs closed out the tournament at 0-3 and fell to 2-5 overall. Washington, who hasn't lost a set yet this season and who were the winners of the tournament with a 3-0 record, is now 5-0 on the year.

"I'm coming to practice with Big League Chew for all the players," explained head coach Dave Gantt after he talked to his squad. "We were right in the belly of each set, 17-15, 20-18, 19-18, and we for some reason don't perceive ourselves of being capable of finishing. Granted Washington is a very talented volleyball team, very physical but we have just got to be willing to extend ourselves in the last third of sets to hang in there."

Gonzaga led to start sets two and three, pulling out to a 6-3 advantage in each set. Offense was the strong suite in the early moments of set two for the Bulldogs as sophomore Jessie Genger tallied two kills, with sophomore Kylie Edinger and senior Schylur Edelman both adding one apiece. Defense above the net was crucial in the early going of set three as the Zags stuffed three Husky block attempts. Edinger had one solo and got in on another with redshirt freshman Meredith Crenshaw with junior Denise Van de Mortel and Edelman combining for another.

"I thought we played really well until we got into the higher points," said Gantt. "I am really proud of the players for competing in two-thirds of each set with a top 25 team. I think Washington had to execute at a higher efficiency than they thought they had to. Unfortunately, they can kick it up a gear if need be."

Kick it up a gear the Huskies did as they turned the early 6-3 deficit into a quick 15-10 advantage in each of the final two sets. The Bulldogs kept in close down the stretch in set two, just two points off the Huskies lead at 23-21 but back-to-back kills by Washington spoiled the upset bid.

Gonzaga got within three points in the latter stages of the third set as a kill by Genger capped off a 3-1 spurt to put the score at 20-17 but a 5-0 run by Washington finished off the Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs finished the match with 27 kills on 108 total attempts for a .102 hitting percentage. Senior Caitlin Cozad led the way offensively with nine kills, while Genger added six.

Gonzaga did win the battle of the block with a slight 10-8 edge. Edelman, Van de Mortel and Crenshaw all finished with four block assists each.

Van de Mortel also passed out 27 assists and was one dig shy of collecting her second double-double of the tournament.

"I am very proud of the way Denise ran our offense all weekend," stated Gantt. "When she received the pass, she did an above average job of distributing the ball."

Edelman was named to the All-Tournament team.

The Huskies finished with 43 kills and had a .245 attacking clip. Washington was led by Becky Perry with 11 kills. Gabbi Parker and Bianca Rowland both chipped in 10.

Gonzaga returns to action Friday when it hits the road for the third-straight weekend, this time partaking in the Pioneer Classic hosted by the University of Denver. The Zags first opponent is the University of Notre Dame. Match time is set for 4 p.m. PDT.