VOLLEYBALL DROPS A PAIR IN FINAL DAY OF THE USF INVITATIONAL
9/13/2008
SAN FRANCISCO -- Sacramento State combined to hit just .142 over two matches while its opposition hit .335 as the Hornets dropped their final two matches of the USF Volleyball Invitational Saturday at War Memorial Gym. Sacramento State fell to Miami (25-11, 25-23, 25-15) in the first match of the day, and lost to Villanova (26-24, 25-14, 29-31, 25-16) to close the tournament.
With the losses, Sacramento State dropped to 2-8 overall and concluded the two-day tournament with an 0-3 record, having lost to host San Francisco yesterday evening. The Hornets have now lost six matches in a row, the longest losing streak since the 1991 squad dropped seven in a row. In addition, the team’s 2-8 record after 10 matches is the worst since the 1977 squad was also 2-8.
With the victories, Miami improved to 9-0, and Villanova moved its record to 5-5. Miami would go on to defeat San Francisco later in the day in five sets to improve to 3-0 at the tournament, and win the USF Invitational championship.
In today’s matches, the Hornets combined for 10.14 kills, 12.43 digs and 0.86 blocks per set while hitting .142 (71-39-225). Conversely, Miami and Villanova combined for 16.00 kills, 14.43 digs and 2.00 blocks per set while hitting .335 (112-29-248).
With a young roster that contains nine underclassmen, the Hornets were led today by sophomore Maddison Thivierge, who finished the day with averages of 1.57 kills and 0.57 blocks per set to go along with a .292 hitting percentage. Freshman Eryn Kirby combined for 1.40 kills and 0.80 digs per set, and freshman Kelsey Elston had a team-best 2.43 kills per set. Senior Brittany Ferguson and junior Desiree Hoyum each combined for 2.00 kills per set.
Senior setter Rose Burke was the Hornets' lone representative on the all-tournament team after finishing the tourney with averages of 0.60 kills, 8.00 assists, 1.60 digs and 0.50 blocks per set. She also led the team with a .417 hitting percentage (6-1-12).
Sacramento State will play each of its next six matches away from home, including next week’s non-conference tilt at Santa Clara on Tuesday, Sept. 16. The Hornets then finish the week at the Aggie Invite (Sept. 19-20) in Davis, Calif. At the tournament, the team will face Fordham on Friday, and both Cal State Bakersfield and host UC Davis on Saturday.
SAN FRANCISCO -- Sacramento State combined to hit just .142 over two matches while its opposition hit .335 as the Hornets dropped their final two matches of the USF Volleyball Invitational Saturday at War Memorial Gym. Sacramento State fell to Miami (25-11, 25-23, 25-15) in the first match of the day, and lost to Villanova (26-24, 25-14, 29-31, 25-16) to close the tournament.
