ELLENSBURG, Wash. - Amanda Colla (Carlsbad/San Dieguito Academy) recorded two double-doubles as the 11th-ranked UC San Diego women's volleyball team concluded play at Central Washington's Wildcat Invitational Friday with a split. UCSD opened the day with a straight set win over Saint Martin's before falling in four to No. 12 Western Washington.
Scores against SMU (1-1) at Nicholson Pavilion were 25-17, 25-16 and 25-22.
"It was nice to see us rebound from last night's match with a strong team effort," said UCSD head coach Ricci Luyties.
A true freshman, Colla collected a match-high 11 kills and added 13 digs in just her third collegiate contest. The outside hitter posted a solid .360 attack percentage with only two errors in 25 swings. Colla also had a pair of service aces to finish with a match-best 13 points.
Caitlin Brenton had nine kills, Katy Woodward dropped in four aces and Makensie Bates established a new career-best and led all players with 18 digs. Freshman Alyssa McNeely had six kills and no errors in eight attacks. Heidi Sierks dished out 32 assists.
"We did a much better job of transitioning points from defense to offense," said Luyties. "Heidi's setting and decision making had our offense running smoothly."
SMU got nine kills from Kristyn Ross and 15 digs from Jessica Riddle. The Saints held a 7-1 advantage in blocks, but hit a paltry .109 (29-17-110) for the match.
UCSD had 10 more digs (55-45) than its opponent. The Tritons posted a .196 (38-17-107) attack percentage.
Early runs in the first two sets put UCSD up for the remainder of the frames. Saint Martin's came out swinging in the third set, jumping out to an 11-3 lead. Down 19-12, the Tritons reeled off nine straight points to go up 21-19. The Saints tied it at 21-21, but UCSD scored four of the last five points to earn the win.
Scores against WWU (3-0) were 25-20, 20-25, 25-16 and 25-20.
Colla had 11 kills and 11 digs for her second consecutive double-double. Sierks also notched one with 42 assists and 18 digs. Kameron Cooper had a team-best 15 kills, Brenton had 12 kills and Bates amassed a match-high 26 digs.
The Tritons hit just .167 with 52 kills and 24 errors in 168 attacks.
Kayla Erickson had 19 kills and Samantha Hutchinson had 21 digs for the Vikings.
Western Washington hit .232 (53-17-155).
The Tritons are now 2-2 following their second split in as many days.
UCSD opens its home and California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) schedule next week as it hosts Cal State Stanislaus on Sept. 12 and Chico State on Sept. 13. Both matches are slated for 7 p.m. starts at RIMAC Arena.
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