IRVINE, Calif. - The University of California San Diego women's volleyball team earned two wins Saturday to close out action at the CUI Eagles Labor Day Classic, defeating both Azusa Pacific and Seattle Pacific in four sets.
UC San Diego went 2-2 overall during the two-day, season-opening tournament.
"We improved with every match this weekend," said UCSD head coach Ricci Luyties. "I was really happy with how we bounced back today after a tough day on Friday."
Scores against Azusa Pacific at CU Arena were 26-24, 25-23, 18-25 and 25-19. It was the first victory of the season for UCSD, while the loss kept APU winless at 0-3.
Senior outside hitter Meagan Wright (San Diego/Bonita Vista HS) led the Tritons offensively, producing 21 kills and 22.0 total points, both match-highs. She also notched her third double-double by digging a team-best 17 balls.
Freshman setter Marie Paris handed out 42 assists, while freshman libero Lindsey Chun had 14 digs and junior outside Amanda Colla (Carlsbad/San Dieguito Academy) added 10. UCSD put down nine service aces, including four from freshman outside Jessyca Beksa and three from sophomore libero Kayla Evans (San Diego/Del Norte HS). Sophomore outside Morgan Kissick matched a career-high with eight kills and set a new one with six blocks.
UC San Diego hit .176 with 55 kills and 27 errors in 159 attack attempts. Its best performance came in the fourth set at .275 (14-3-40).
For the Cougars, Julianne Miller had 15 kills and Madison Ogas chipped in with 14. Bailey Henington led all players with 25 digs and Ashley Midland totaled seven blocks (two solos).
Azusa Pacific held advantages in several statistical categories, including hitting percentage (.186), digs (68-59) and blocks (10-6).
UCSD went on to defeat Seattle Pacific (1-3) by scores of 25-22, 25-17, 24-26 and 25-21.
For the fourth-straight match, Wright led the Tritons offensively, finishing with a match-high 22 kills and a team-best 19 digs. Freshman middle Jessica Rieble amassed 13.5 points on nine kills and six blocks (three solos), Beksa had 12 kills and junior middle Rebecca Seaberry contributed with 11 kills. Paris continued racking up numbers with 54 assists and 15 digs and Chun ended her tourney action with 18 digs.
UCSD hit .178 with 62 kills and 30 errors in 180 swings. The team has yet to hit above .200 for a complete match.
Wright was selected to the all-tournament team. Over the four matches in Irvine, she averaged 21.8 points, 20.8 kills and 17.8 digs.
Gabby Oddo paced SPU with 16 kills and Colleen Hannigan had 10. Amanda Ganete and Oddo combined for 43 digs, with Ganete amassing a match-high 22.
The Falcons hit just .114 for the match with 47 kills and 27 miscues in 175 attacks.
UC San Diego returns to La Jolla to take its turn hosting a tournament as the six-team D2 West Region Volleyball Showcase runs Sept. 8-10 at RIMAC Arena. Joining the Tritons will be BYU-Hawaii, Cal Poly Pomona, Central Washington, Northwest Nazarene and Point Loma.
Team Tournament Records
Concordia University Irvine 4-0
Simon Fraser 3-1
Colorado Christian 2-2
UC San Diego 2-2
Seattle Pacific 1-3
Azusa Pacific 0-4
Tournament Co-MVPs
Hannah Andrews, OH, Concordia University Irvine
Amber Rose, MB, Concordia University Irvine
All-Tournament Team
Rachel Flynn, OH/MB, Concordia University Irvine
Alison McKay, DS/L, Simon Fraser
Tamara Nipp, S, Simon Fraser
Meagan Wright, OH, UC San Diego
Kylee Wurster, S, Colorado Christian
#AllForOne
