Oct. 29, 2011
Fullerton, Calif. - Leah Maurer led a quartet of Titans in double digit kills and had at least one hand in six blocks as Cal State Fullerton snapped a three-match losing streak with a five-set win over UC Riverside Saturday night in Titan Gym.
The Titans won for just the second time in the month of October (2-6) with the 25-19, 20-25, 24-26, 25-20, 15-6 Big West Conference victory, upping their record to 10-13 overall and 5-6 in league play. It was also the 14th consecutive victory over the Highlanders for Fullerton. Riverside drops to 5-19, 2-9.
Maurer led the Titans with 18 kills and hit .353 to pace the Titan attack. Kayla Neto (17 kills) Ayana Whitaker (12 kills) and Jennifer Edmond (10 kills) provided additional firepower as the Titans out-hit the Highlanders .231 to .123. Whitaker's 12 kills set a career high. She also had six blocks as Fullerton held the advantage in the blocking column, 13.0 to 10.0
Amanda Vialpando led all players with 19 kills and Shelby LeDuff added 13 for the visitors. Vialpando recorded a double-double, adding 16 digs to her line. The Highlanders hit above .178 just one set in the match and committed a match high 32 attack errors.
Fullerton's Andrea Ragan (55 assists, 12 digs) and Neto (17 kills, 18 digs) tallied double-doubles while Gabrielle Dewberry had a match high 28 digs to help the Titans move to 3-2 on the year in five-set matches. The Titans' defensive effort at the net and in the back row was key to the victory. In addition to out-blocking the Highlanders, the Titans out-dug them as well, 81-69.
Fullerton won after trailing 2 sets to 1 for just the third time in 10 occasions this year. Two of the victories have come against the Highlanders.
The Titans will have just one match next week and will host Long Beach State on Saturday night at 7 p.m.