Nov. 18, 2011
Fullerton, Calif. - Seniors Andrea Ragan (42 assists, 11 digs) Leah Maurer (13 kills, five blocks), and Jennifer Edmond (11 kills, 12 digs, 3 blocks) led Cal State Fullerton to a 3-1 Big West Conference volleyball victory Friday night at Titan Gym on Senior Night.
The Titans won their fourth match in their last six to improve to 13-15 overall and finish the Big West slate at 8-8. Irvine drops to 10-17, 4-11 as Fullerton swept the season series in the 25-21, 25-18, 27-29, 25-19 finale.
Fullerton tried its best to end the match in three sets but was unable to score two consecutive points after tying the match at 23-23. They did, however, make Irvine work for it, forcing six match points before an ace by Alex Hauser ended set three in favor of the Anteaters.
On top of the work produced by the Titan seniors, junior Kayla Neto tied for the match high with 14 kills and added 16 digs to raise the number of Fullerton double-doubles to three on the night. Irvine had a pair of double-double performances from kill leaders Aly Squires (21 digs) and Shaina Olsen (10 digs), who each tallied 14 kills to pace the Anteater offense.
Irvine lIbero Krisitin Winkler led all players with 27 digs on the night, followed closely by Titan libero Gabrielle Dewberry, who scooped 24.
The Titans held a slight edge in the blocking department, finishing the night with 9.0 team blocks to Irvine's 7.0. Maurer was the leader with five blocks, three of which were solos. Arielle Manz had four block assists to lead Irvine at the net. The Anteaters did not record a solo block.
Cal State Fullerton has one more match against Top 10-ranked University of Hawai'I next Friday night at 7 p.m. The post-Thanksgiving contest will be a preview of a match-up that will be seen for years to come as the Rainbow Warriors/Wahine are set to join the Big West in all sports except football in July 2012. The match will be broadcast on ESPN3.