Nov. 22, 2009
Riverside, Calif. - Cal State Fullerton's Erin Saddler and Kayla Neto combined for 23 kills to help lift the Titans to a 26-24, 25-15, 25-19, sweep of UC Riverside Saturday night in Big West Conference volleyball action in the Student Recreation Center.
The Titans up their record to 17-12, becoming only the fourth Fullerton squad to reach the 17-win plateau. Saturday night's win also concluded Big West Conference action and left Fullerton with an 8-8 mark. The eight wins is the second most conference win in school history. Riverside falls to 6-21, 3-13.
Riverside's TonbaraYoupele led all players with 15 kills, but the Highlanders were only able to muster a .103 attack percentage to Fullerton .252 mark. Saddler led the Titan attack with 12 kills and added 11 digs and a pair of aces in the win. Neto tallied 11 kills and hit .476 while also providing three blocks and an ace.
Fullerton libero Cami Croteau posted 14 digs to lead all players from the defensive end likely putting her record-breaking performance on hold until 2010. She moved to within 42 digs of the school record with one match to play. Dominique Cowling and Amanda Nilsson combined for 23 digs for Riverside.
Along with Neto's net play, Alex Wolnisty added two block assists to lead Fullerton's defense, which out-blocked Riverside 5.0 to 2.0 on the night. No Highlander recorded more than on block assist.
With a .586 winning percentage and one match to play, the Titans have a chance to set the record for the highest winning percentage in school history, and also have an opportunity to tie the school record for most wins (18) set by the 1981 squad.
The Titans will return to the court following the Thanksgiving break, on Saturday, Nov. 28, against UNLV at Long Beach State's Walter Pyramid.