STIDHAM TIES SCHOOL RECORD WITH SEVEN ACES IN VOLLEYBALL’S 3-0 WIN OVER MANHATTAN

9/8/2007

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Sacramento State posted a school-record 15 aces, including a program-record tying seven from senior Missie Stidham, as the Hornets swept Manhattan (30-25, 30-18, 30-15) in the second round of the Sacramento State Volleyball Invitational Saturday afternoon at the Hornets Nest.

With the win, the Hornets improved to 7-3 overall and 1-1 at the tournament. Manhattan dropped to 1-7 overall and 0-2 at the tournament. Both teams return later tonight for the third and final round of the tournament, as Sacramento State takes on Cal State Northridge at 7:30 p.m. Manhattan faces Oregon State at 5 p.m.

Sacramento State never trailed during the entire match, jumping out to a 6-1 lead in the first game, 8-1 in the second, and 8-2 in the third. The Hornets dominated the match in nearly every statistical category, including kills (47-32), hitting percentage (.279-.124), assists (42-30), digs (50-38) and aces (15-2).

Stidham’s seven aces matched All-American Jill Haas’ record, set on Sept. 9, 1994. Stidham, who transferred from Saint Mary’s prior to the season, had two aces in the first game, two more in the second, and three in the third. In fact, Stidham was just three aces shy of a triple-double as she also had 11 kills and a match-high 15 digs.

Sophomore Melissa Melcher (3), freshman Chelsea Goodsell (2), junior Rose Burke (2) and senior Jennifer Ferguson (1) also contributed to the team’s 15 aces, which surpassed the previous mark of 14, set in both 1993 and 1997.

Three Hornets had at least nine kills, comprised of Stidham, senior Lindsay Haupt (13) and Ferguson (9). Haupt hit a match-high .500, with just two errors in 22 attacks. In her third start of the season, freshman middle hitter Maddison Thivierge finished with five kills, a .455 hitting percentage (5-0-11) and a solo block. Goodsell had 14 digs, and outside hitter Whitney Mendivil (four kills) joined Thivierge as the trio of Hornet freshman to contribute to the victory.

Rita Welsh had 11 kills and a .409 hitting percentage to lead Manhattan. Jackie Kapovich (nine kills) joined Welsh as the only two Jaspers with more than four kills.

In this morning’s match, Oregon State knocked off Cal State Northridge, 3-1 (30-22, 26-30, 30-23, 30-23). Oregon State is now 2-0, and Cal State Northridge 1-1 heading into their matches tonight.