Nov. 3, 2006
Fullerton, Calif. - Despite a career-high 23 kills from senior Breanna Trudeau, No. 19 Cal Poly held on to defeat Cal State Fullerton, 3-1 (30-28, 27-30, 30-16, 32-30) in a Big West Conference volleyball match Friday night at Titan Gym.
Fullerton, who held strong against the ranked opponent, fell to 15-9 over all and dipped to two games under .500 in league at 4-6. Cal Poly improved to a Big West-best 10-1 in league play and 18-5 overall in 2006.
A pair of service errors, a ball handling error and a hitting error down the stretch proved costly, as the Titans clawed to keep up in game four, trading points with the Mustangs up to 30-30. A service error by Barbie Thierjung and an attack that went wide ended it, giving the Mustangs the season sweep of the Titans, and their fifth-consecutive victory since 2004.
Statistically the Titans posted more kills, assists, and blocks than the Mustangs, but it was the unforced errors that gave Cal Poly the edge. The visitors also out-hit the Titans .229 to .179 with a match-high .486 in game three.
Trudeau led all players in kills with teammates Brittany Moore (14) and Deven Bukoski (12) joining her in double-figures.
Kylie Atherstone, Alicia Waller and Ashleigh Bertoni each pounded 10-or-more kills for the Mustangs with Atherstone's 19 leading the Cal Poly assault.
Defensively, the Titans out-blocked the hard-hitting Mustang defenders 10 to 9 with Amanda Pfielschiefter leading the way with six block assists. Poly's Candace Milton posted seven total blocks with one solo to her credit.
And for the ninth time in her Career, Vanessa Vella tallied 30-or-more digs, collecting 32 in Friday evening's match to lead all players. Cal Poly's libero also played well scooping 24 attacks to lead the Mustangs, with Chelsea Hayes, Alicia Waller and Atherstone all finishing with double-digits in digs.
Cal State Fullerton will conclude its 2006 home schedule Saturday evening at 7 p.m. The Titans will host UC Santa Barbara in a Big West Conference match-up that will feature Senior Night ceremonies prior to the first serve.