LOS ANGELES, Calif. - The 4th-ranked UC San Diego women's volleyball team used a fifth-set rally to defeat Cal State L.A. 22-25, 25-18, 20-25, 26-24, 16-14 on Friday night at the Eagles Nest. The Tritons trailed 13-10 in the final set and withstood two match-points as
Katie Condon and
Lauren Bradley recorded a match-saving block assist. With the Tritons serving for match point, Condon sent down her 13th kill of the night to send the Tritons home with the win. UCSD improves to 11-1, 3-1 California Collegiate Athletic Association, while the Golden Eagles drop to 5-5, 1-2 CCAA.
It was the third consecutive five-set meeting between the two schools, this time with a different result. CSULA won the previous two five-set matches, including last year's NCAA West Regional Quarterfinal match, ending UCSD's season.
Sylvia Schmidt had a match-high 17 kills while Condon finished with 13 kills and nine digs. It was Schmidt's highest total since the senior had 18 kills against Alaska Anchorage at the Triton Invitational. Condon's total was the fourth time this season she has recorded at least 10 kills.
Julia Freidenberg had another productive match in the middle with eight kills and a career-best seven blocks.
Bradley added 12 kills on .312 hitting with five blocks. It was Bradley's highest total since her career-best 16 kills against Minnesota Duluth on August 29th.
Cara Simonsen chipped in with seven kills on .375 hitting. Roxanne Brunsting had a season-high 26 digs, going over 20 digs for the fourth time this season.
In the first set, the Tritons led for the majority of the set, taking a six point lead at 17-11. The Tritons led 21-17 when the Golden Eagles went on a run. Cal State L.A. ended the set on an 8-1 run, including scoring the final five points of the set to win 25-22.
The Tritons took another big lead in the second set, this time at 18-9. The Golden Eagles stormed back with a 6-0 run to come within 18-15. This time, the Tritons were able to close out the set by extending the lead to eight points at 24-18. The Tritons would win the set 25-18.
In the third set with the score tied at 11-11, Schmidt sent down a kill to give the Tritons a 12-11 lead. UCSD would remain in front until a late CSULA run tied the set at 19-19. With CSULA up 21-20, the Golden Eagles closed the set much like they did in set one, scoring the final four points including an ace and back-to-back kills for the 25-20 set three win.
The fourth set was close throughout. Tied at 18-18, the Tritons opened up a 22-19 lead after a Freidenberg kill and Brunsting ace. UCSD went ahead 24-21 after a Karen Reis ace. CSULA would survive three set points by UCSD and tied the set at 24-24 after an ace. CSULA followed up with a service error and an attack error to give the Tritons a 26-24 set four win and force a decisive fifth set.
The fifth set began with the Tritons leading as Schmidt had two quick kills. CSULA took the lead at 8-7 as the teams changed sides. Condon sent down a kill to tie the set at 8-8. CSULA opened up a three point lead at 12-9 after a block and UCSD service error. CSULA led 14-12 and had two chances at match point. Bradley had an answer for the Tritons to pull UCSD within 14-13 and then Bradley and Freidenberg swung the momentum with a huge block to tie the set at 14-14. After a CSULA setting error, the Tritons called Condon's number and she put down the kill to give UCSD the exciting 16-14 fifth set and match victory.
UCSD is back in action tomorrow night when it hosts Cal State Dominguez Hills. First serve is set for 7:00 p.m. in RIMAC Arena. The Tritons have won 24 straight sets against the Toros.
