The road can be a very lonely place. It can be even lonelier when you lose a conference game. The UCSD women’s volleyball team now knows that all too well.
The Tritons entered Thursday night’s encounter against California State University Stanislaus, which is ranked No. 19 in the nation, and embarrassed themselves during a 3-1 loss at Warrior Gym. As a result, the team fell to 9-3 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association and 14-5 overall.
UCSD opened the game with sloppy play, little enthusiasm and no communication.
“”This was one of the worst passing games that I have seen in my years with this program,”” Triton head coach Duncan McFarland said. “”It was keeping us from setting up our offense and really getting going. We came out a little flat. We weren’t talking on the floor.””
The Warriors, who are now 5-7 in the CCAA and 13-11 overall, jumped out to the early lead and never looked back. CSU Stanislaus was serving UCSD off the floor through the first two games, which it won convincingly, 30-17 and 30-23, respectively.
“”[The Warriors] served very well,”” McFarland said. “”It was throwing our offense off.””
Stunned by the scrappy play of CSU Stanislaus, the Tritons rallied in the third game and won convincingly, 30-23.
UCSD, apparently rejuvenated by the convincing win in game three, came out strong again in the fourth. The team was talking on the floor and had obvious intensity.
“”We were able to turn it around in the third game and first half of the fourth,”” McFarland said. “”We started passing the ball better and talking to each other.””
The Tritons looked poised to force a deciding fifth game, leading by as much as 20-10 in the fourth, but the Warriors were not about to give up a 2-0 lead in their own gym.
CSU Stanislaus came roaring back, taking advantage of the sloppy play of the UCSD squad to tie the game at 26. The Warriors closed out strong to take the fourth game 30-27 along with the match.
Individually, the Tritons were led by Kathleen Hentz’s eight kills and Jessica Bartter’s 19 assists. Stacy Dunsmore added six kills.
CSU Stanislaus was led by Amanda Oliver’s 14 kills and Valerie Lopez’s 41 assists.
