Women's Volleyball
10/05/2007 - Royals Win a Thriller- End Slide
Fullerton, CA- Playing for extra points in game 4, the Royals finally put away GSAC rival The Master's by a 35-33 score. More importantly game 4 was the clincher in a 3-1 Royals win (30-28, 29-31, 30-27, 35-33). Sophomore Jillian Lane lead the Royals offensive attack with 24 kills.
On paper, this match looked like the makings of very a competitive match. Oh boy, it did ever live up it's billing. All 4 games saw numerous lead changes as well as crucial turning points on both sides of the net. Game 1 best illustrates that point as both teams had a total of 19 kills- TMC on 48 attempts while Hope had 41.
After having a season high 77 kills versus Chapman on Thursday, the Royals (4-10, 2-8 GSAC) set a new season high in kills on Saturday with 85. They also increased their season high in assists (79) as well as Freshman Larissa Niu paced the offense with 75. Ten different Royals picked up at least one kill on the match.
Lane ordered up a double-double for the third match in a row with 24 kills and 26 digs. Freshman Chanel Gardner had a solid night with 22 kills and 4 blocks (including 2 solos). Sophomore Debbie Beliakoff hit a whopping .484 (18 kills on 31 attempts with only 3 errors). Freshman Shaina Record, who recently has taken over the libero duties, had a match high 33 digs.
Setter Christy Swaggerty led the charge for the Mustangs (8-11, 2-8 GSAC) as she pulled off the rare triple double (10 kills, 32 assists, and 12 digs). The Roleder sisters kept up the pressure all night against the Royals. Rachel had 25 kills on 60 attacks while Amanda had 20 kills on 57 attacks. With the Mustangs employing a 6-2 offense, their second setter Amber Harder cashed in a double-double as well (33 assists and 10 digs).
With the win, the Royals ended an 8 match losing streak while at the same time improved to 2-8 in the GSAC to pull even in the standings with The Master's.
Tonight's match was the first of the next 5 of 6 matches at home. The Royals return to the Darling Pavilion hardwood on Tuesday (10/9) at 7 pm. They will be looking to avenge a loss earlier in the season against GSAC rival Point Loma Nazarene.