Nov. 12, 2011
Stockton, Calif. - Jennifer Sanders and Megan Birch each recorded 16 kills to lead Pacific (17-11, 8-7) to a five-set victory over visiting Cal State Fullerton (12-15, 7-8) Saturday night in Big West Conference volleyball action at the Alex G. Spanos Center.
A night removed from coming back from a 2-0 set deficit to beat UC Davis, the Titans were unable to hold on to a 2-0 lead and suffered the same fate at the paws of the Tigers. Fullerton wasted a strong performance by junior Kayla Neto, who posted a 21-kill, 19-dig stat line in the 25-22, 25-22, 22-25, 20-25, 11-15 loss.
Trailing by six points in the deciding set, 12-6, Fullerton made a last ditch effort to keep a possible winning season in tact by going on a 5-1 run to get to 13-11. But kills by Hannah Clancy and Megan Birch not only closed out the match in the Tigers' favor, but it also ensured the Titans' first sub-.500 season in five seasons.
Jennifer Edmond added 15 kills and Ayana Whitaker connected for 10 kills and hit .435 in support of Neto. Katy Tagart had nine kills to finish behind Sanders and Birch.
The Titans held and 8.0-6.0 blocking advantage and were led by senior Leah Maurer who had six blocks (2 solos). Maurer also added nine kills, six digs and three service aces. Sanders led at the net for Pacific with three blocks.
Senior setter Andrea Ragan had another double-double (assists/digs) with a match-high 52 assists and 22 digs. Ragan was one of five Titans with digs in double figures. Gabrielle Dewberry had 27 digs to lead all players, missing consecutive 30-digs nights by just three scoops.
The Titans have two matches remaining on their 2011 slate. Next weekend, the Titans will honor their departing seniors and host UC Irvine in the final Big West contest. The following weekend, the Titans will host nationally-ranked Hawaii in Titan Gym in the season finale.