LA JOLLA, Calif.— UC San Diego women's volleyball will conclude their final year of the NCAA Division I reclassifying period this week, beginning with the final home match of the season against Long Beach State on Tuesday.
The Tritons (17-11, 9-7 Big West) will celebrate seniors
Shara Da Silva and
Natalie Repetti on Senior Night before taking on the Beach (18-8, 12-4 Big West) at 7 p.m. UC San Diego will wrap up the 2023 season on the road at Hawai'i (19-8, 12-4 Big West) on Friday at 9 p.m. PT.
Both matches will be broadcast on ESPN+ with live statistics available via UCSDTritons.com.
DETAILS
Match 29
UC San Diego (17-11, 9-7) vs Long Beach State (18-8, 12-4)
Tuesday, Nov. 14 | 7 p.m.
LionTree Arena (4,000) | La Jolla, Calif.
All-time series: 0-5
Last meeting: UCSD 0, LBSU 3 (Sept. 28, 2023)
Watch on ESPN+ |
Live Stats
Match 30
UC San Diego at Hawai'i (19-8, 12-4)
Friday, Nov. 17 | 9 p.m. PT
Stan Sheriff Center (10,300) | Honolulu, Hawai'i
All-time series: 0-6
Last meeting: UCSD 0, UH 3 (Sept. 30, 2023)
Watch on ESPN+ |
Live Stats
ABOUT THE TRITONS |
ABOUT LONG BEACH ST. |
ABOUT HAWAI'I |
Roster | Schedule | Stats |
Roster | Schedule | Stats |
Roster | Schedule | Stats |
Overall: 17-11 |
Overall: 18-8 |
Overall: 19-8 |
Big West: 9-7 |
Big West: 12-4 |
Big West: 12-4 |
Home: 5-6 |
Home: 10-4 |
Home: 10-5 |
Away: 8-4 |
Away: 6-4 |
Away: 7-3 |
Neutral: 4-1 |
Neutral: 2-0 |
Neutral: 2-0 |
Vs. Ranked Opponents: 0-0 |
vs. Ranked Opponents: 1-1 |
vs. Ranked Opponents: 1-1 |
Streak: L2 |
Streak: L2 |
Streak: W2 |
LAST TIME OUT
The Tritons went 0-2 on the road against tough competition in the penultimate week of the 2023 season, falling at Cal Poly, 1-3, and at Big West leader UC Santa Barbara, 2-3.
Lauren Brooker was named UCU Athlete of the Week for her weekend performance.
UC San Diego 1, Cal Poly 3
Set scores: 20-25, 22-25, 27-25, 21-25
Top performers: Karacaova (10 kills); Saran (10 kills); McInnes (9 kills, 8 digs, 2 blocks); McDaniel (5 blocks); Rapp (5 blocks); Knowles (20 assists, 10 digs); Brooker (14 assists, 8 digs); Repetti (14 digs, 2 aces)
Notables: The Tritons fought off six match points in the third set to extend the match.
UC San Diego 2, UC Santa Barbara
Set scores: 26-28, 25-22, 25-15, 25-27, 7-15
Top performers: McInnes (18 kills, 4 blocks); Brooker (14 kills, 21 assists, 25 digs); Karacaova (11 kills, 19 digs, 4 aces); Saran (6 blocks); Knowles (31 assists); Repetti (26 digs, 4 aces)
Notables:
Lauren Brooker recorded the first triple-double of the Division I era;
Sabire Karacaova recorded a career-high with 19 digs.
AWARD WINNERS
UCU Athlete of the Week:
Lauren Brooker (Nov. 13)
Big West Defensive Player of the Week:
Jasmine Saran (Nov. 6)
UCU Athlete of the Week:
Ava McInnes (Oct. 30)
Big West Defensive Player of the Week:
Jasmine Saran (Oct. 23)
Big West Freshman of the Week:
Lauren Brooker (Oct. 23)
UCU Athlete of the Week:
Jasmine Saran (Oct. 23)
UCU Athlete of the Week:
Nevada Knowles (Oct. 9)
Big West Offensive Player of the Week:
Ava McInnes (Sept. 18)
Big West Freshman of the Week:
Lauren Brooker (Sept. 18)
UCU Athlete of the Week:
Ava McInnes (Sept. 18)
TSU/Belmont Invitational MVP:
Ava McInnes (Sept. 15)
TSU/Belmont Invitational All-Tournament Team:
Lauren Brooker,
Ava McInnes,
Jasmine Saran (Sept. 15)
UC San Diego Invitational All-Tournament Team:
Lauren Brooker (Sept. 9)
UCU Athlete of the Week:
Emily McDaniel (Sept. 4)
Gonzaga Tournament All-Tournament Team:
Emily McDaniel (Sept. 2)
Big West Defensive Player of the Week:
Emily McDaniel (Aug. 28)
Big West Freshman of the Week:
Lauren Brooker (Aug. 28)
Bulldog Brawl All-Tournament Team:
Ava McInnes,
Emily McDaniel (Aug. 26)
BROOKER EARNS UCU ATHLETE OF THE WEEK (NOV. 13)
Setter/Opposite
Lauren Brooker averaged 2.22 kills, 3.89 assists and 3.67 digs for UC San Diego over the weekend to earn UCU Athlete of the Week. The true freshman recorded her first triple-double—the first of the Division I era for the Tritons—on Saturday at UC Santa Barbara. Brooker recorded career highs in kills (14), points (17) and digs (25), adding 21 assists as UC San Diego pushed the Big West leaders to five sets. She also finished with 14 assists, eight digs and six kills against Cal Poly the previous evening. Brooker finished the week second on the team in digs (33) and third in kills (20) and points (25), leading the Tritons in hitting percentage (.283).
McINNES CHASING RECORDS
Junior outside hitter
Ava McInnes had a standout season in 2022, leading The Big West in both kills (3.81 k/s) and points (4.35 p/s). McInnes set the Tritons' Division I season record for kills with 469, which also ranks second in the all-time record book. She also set the all-time season record for attacks with 1,374 and tied the all-time single match kills record with 31 against Long Beach State (Oct. 14, 2022).
In her third season of competition, McInnes has 1,182 career kills and 3,417 attack attempts. She recorded her career 1,000th career kill on Sept. 23 against Cal Poly and her 3,000th attack attempt on Oct. 6 at CSUN. McInnes moved into a tie for fourth all-time in career kills for UC San Diego on Saturday at UCSB and is 30 kills away from moving into third (1,212). She also moved into second all-time in attack attempts.
ALL-TIME KILLS |
ALL-TIME ATTACK ATTEMPTS |
1. |
1,524 |
Danielle Dahle (2012-15) |
1. |
4,636 |
Danielle Dahle (2012-15) |
2. |
1,364 |
Rebecca Bailey (2005-08) |
2. |
3,417 |
Ava McInnes (2021-Present) |
3. |
1,212 |
Sylvia Schmidt (2006-09) |
3. |
3,336 |
Rebecca Bailey (2005-08) |
T4. |
1,182 |
Stacy Dunsmore (2001-04) |
4. |
3,314 |
Stacy Dunsmore (2001-04) |
T4. |
1,182 |
Ava McInnes (2021-Present) |
5. |
3,204 |
Katie Condon (2008-11) |
6. |
1,172 |
Diana Klintworth (1986-89) |
6. |
3,026 |
Diana Klintworth (1986-89) |
7. |
1,116 |
Bonnie Wilson (2002-04) |
7. |
2,952 |
Sylvia Schmidt (2006-09) |
8. |
1,049 |
Kristin Kilbourn (1981-84) |
8. |
2,887 |
Hillary Williamson (2008-11) |
9. |
1,025 |
Hillary Williamson (2008-11) |
|
|
|
10. |
1,014 |
Molly Wheatley (1981-84) |
|
|
|
STACKING UP AGAINST THE BIG WEST
After eleven weeks of competition in the books, UC San Diego is currently in fifth place in the Big West (9-7). The Tritons rank second in team blocks (2.54 per set) and in service aces (1.77) and third in digs (14.58).
- Ava McInnes ranks first in kills (3.73 per set), second in points (4.44 per set), ninth in aces (0.33 per set) and 16th in hitting percentage (.254).
- Emily McDaniel ranks first in blocks (1.34 per set), 13th in hitting percentage (.271) and 19th in points (2.93).
- Nevada Knowles ranks eighth in assists (6.43 per set).
- Jasmine Saran ranks fifth in hitting percentage (.310) and ninth in blocks (1.06 per set).
- Natalie Repetti ranks sixth in digs (3.72 per set) and fifth in aces (0.36 per set).
SEARCHING FOR A SECOND CROWN
Outside hitter
Ava McInnes is on the verge of leading the Big West in kills (3.73 per set) for the second consecutive season. She has been atop the conference standings in both kills and points all season long and currently ranks second in points (4.44 per set) behind Hawai'i middle blocker Amber Igiede (4.55 per set). The two will face one another in the 2023 season finale on Friday.
Last season, McInnes finished with 3.81 kills per set which ranked first and she finished third in points with 4.35 per set.
CHALLENGING STRETCH
UC San Diego will have a challenging slate to end the season, facing the top four teams ahead of them in the conference standing in (RV) UC Santa Barbara, Long Beach State, Hawai'i and Cal Poly. All five schools have a winning percentage of .600 or better.
BIG WEST RANKINGS
School |
Big West |
BW Pct. |
Overall |
Overall Pct. |
Streak |
UC Santa Barbara |
15-1 |
.938 |
25-3 |
.893 |
W5 |
Hawai'i |
12-4 |
.750 |
19-8 |
.704 |
W2 |
Long Beach State |
12-4 |
.750 |
18-8 |
.692 |
L2 |
Cal Poly |
12-4 |
.750 |
18-10 |
.643 |
W3 |
UC San Diego |
9-7 |
.562 |
17-11 |
.607 |
L2 |
EXPERIENCED ROSTER
UC San Diego returns 12 Tritons who saw playing time during the 2022 season, including All-Big West Second Team honoree
Ava McInnes. The senior class consists of
Shara Da Silva who started 30 matches at middle blocker in 2022 and
Natalie Repetti who appeared in 29 matches as a defensive substitution. The junior class includes outside hitters
Ava McInnes and
Zaria Henderson who both started all 32 matches for the Tritons. They are joined by
Juliette Bokor,
Sabire Karacaova,
Nevada Knowles (transfer),
Emily McDaniel and
Izabella Santa Cruz. The sophomore class consists of
Dana Branavets (transfer),
Reagan Dryden,
Katie Rapp,
Aubrey Tanner,
Kayla Uhlick and
Jasmine Saran.
FRESH FACES
The Tritons added five talented newcomers to the 2023 roster, including three freshmen, a sophomore transfer and junior college transfer. The Tritons will welcome first-year scholar-athletes
Lauren Brooker (Calabasas, Calif.),
Iris Canko (Temecula, Calif.) and
Reagan McWhinney (Loveland, Colo.), as well as sophomore transfer
Dana Branavets (San Diego, Calif.) from Boise State and junior transfer
Nevada Knowles (Ventura, Calif.) from Ventura College.
TRITONS PICKED SEVENTH IN PRESEASON POLL
UC San Diego was picked to finish seventh with 42 points in The Big West Preseason Coaches' Poll. 2022 Big West Champion Hawai'i was picked to finish first with 100 points and 10 first-place votes, followed by UC Santa Barbara (83 points) and Long Beach State (82 points, 1 first-place vote) rounding out the top three.
Cal Poly (81) was picked fourth and UC Davis (61) was voted fifth, followed by UC Irvine (54), UC San Diego (42), Cal State Bakersfield (33), Cal State Fullerton (32), CSUN (27) and UC Riverside (10).
WINNING IN THE CLASSROOM
Juliette Bokor,
Emily McDaniel,
Ava McInnes and
Natalie Repetti were four of the seven women's volleyball scholar-athletes named to the Big West All-Academic team for the 2022 fall season. Additionally, McDaniel was named to the 2022 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Team.
WELCOME TO LIONTREE ARENA
Since it was established nearly three decades ago, the University of California San Diego's RIMAC (Recreation, Intramural and Athletic Complex) Arena has been home to countless athletic competitions, graduations, concerts and other events that are imprinted on the memories of thousands of UC San Diego alumni, students, friends and visitors.
In June of 2022, UC San Diego announced that RIMAC Arena has been named LionTree Arena in recognition of a $5 million gift for scholar-athletes from LionTree, an independent investment and merchant bank with expertise in technology, media and the digital economy. LionTree was founded by UC San Diego alumnus Aryeh B. Bourkoff, who also serves as the firm's CEO. LionTree's gift is the largest ever received by UC San Diego Athletics, establishing the LionTree Endowed Scholarship Fund to support scholar-athletes.
ON THE MOVE
After 20 seasons playing as an NCAA Division II team, the entire athletics program has begun a four-year transition to NCAA Division I, culminating in full DI status as a member of the Big West Conference for the 2024-25 academic year. At that time, all sports will be eligible for conference and NCAA postseason play.
WHY THE TRITONS?
The Triton is described as the offspring of Poseidon and Amphitrite, a demigod of the sea with a lower part of the body like that of a fish. It is known as a mighty and fierce sea warrior. Given UC San Diego's close proximity to the Pacific Ocean and its connections with the world-famous Scripps Institution of Oceanography, the Triton became our mascot in 1964.
UC SAN DIEGO ON THE WORLDWIDE LEADER
Most UC San Diego home men's and women's basketball games, men's and women's soccer matches, men's and women's volleyball matches, baseball and softball games are broadcast live on ESPN+. For more information on where to watch UC San Diego women's volleyball, visit UCSDTritons.com/live.
GAME DAY GOES DIGITAL
Triton fans now have a whole new way to access game day information, as game programs have gone digital! Fans can visit UCSDTritons.com from their smart phone or scan the QR code at the entrance to LionTree Arena for everything they need to know about each home game, including updated rosters, schedules, and stats for each team, as well as links to watch on ESPN+.
COVERING THE TRITONS
Media members wishing to cover a UC San Diego game in-person at LionTree Arena must notify a member of the Athletics Communication staff no later than 24 hours prior to the game.
Following the conclusion of each home game, a video highlight melt and video postgame interviews will be made available for media members to download.
GET SOCIAL WITH UC SAN DIEGO WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL
Keep up with the Tritons all season long on social media through Twitter and Instagram. The team's handle is @ucsdwvb.
FOR THE YOUNGER CROWD
Got some young Triton fans in your family? If they are eighth grade or under, check out the Junior Triton Club. Membership includes a free t-shirt, admission to over 100 UC San Diego home athletic events, and much more!
GEAR
For the latest Triton apparel and accessories,
click here.
About UC San Diego Athletics
After two decades as one of the most successful programs in NCAA Division II, the UC San Diego intercollegiate athletics program began a new era in 2020 as a member of The Big West in NCAA Division I. The 23-sport Tritons earned 30 team and nearly 150 individual national championships during its time in Divisions II and III and helped guide 1,400 scholar-athletes to All-America honors. A total of 84 Tritons have earned Academic All-America honors, while 38 have earned prestigious NCAA Post Graduate Scholarships. UC San Diego scholar-athletes exemplify the academic ideals of one of the world's preeminent institutions, graduating at an average rate of 91 percent, one of the highest rates among institutions at all divisions.