Exhibiting deadly efficiency, the second-ranked UCSD womenas volleyball team dispatched California Collegiate Athletic Association challengers Grand Canyon, Chico State and UC Davis in three games apiece to improve to 14-2 overall and 8-1 in conference.
Coming home: The Tritons went 4-1 on their recently completed road trip.
The Tritons traveled to Arizona on Oct. 1 for a mid-week matchup with the Antelopes of Grand Canyon. The match lasted just 71 minutes as the Tritons dominated, 3-0 (30-14, 30-21, 30-18).
UCSD was superior in every major statistical category, out-hitting, out-blocking and thoroughly out-playing the Antelopes. Outside hitter Lindsay Crandell led the Tritons with 12 kills while setter Teresa Ohta guided UCSD to a .381 hitting percentage on the match while picking up 36 assists and 11 digs. Grand Canyon hit just .044 for the match.
After returning from Phoenix, the Triton ladies repacked their bags and headed north to take on the Chico State Wildcats on Oct. 3. Though the Wildcats were able to keep the score somewhat close, the Tritons were never in danger as they cruised to a 3-0 win (30-24, 30-22 and 30-15).
Surpassing even the previous night’s performance, UCSD hit .409 as a team while Chico State hit just .159. Outside hitter Stacy Dunsmore was the offensive and defensive leader for the Tritons with 16 kills and just one error while also posting 10 digs. Middle blockers Kendra Canape and Katie Hogan were solid for UCSD as well. Hogan tallied 10 kills and five blocks alongside Canape, who had nine kills and three blocks.
Opposite hitter Ashley Peterson returned to the lineup in limited action after being sidelined with a sprained ankle last week in practice. Opposite hitter Lauren Mills, who has picked up the slack in Peterson’s absence, had five kills, five assists and nine digs on the evening.
The following night, the Tritons snapped UC Davis’ home winning streak at seven matches to take the decision, 30-23, 30-26 and 30-17.
UCSD was dominant at the net, out-blocking the Aggies, 11-3. The Tritons had five solo blocks on the evening ‹ two by Hogan and one each by Canape, Mills and Dunsmore. For the fourth time on the Tritons’ five-game road trip, Crandell led her team in kills, putting up 12 with only one error. Hogan put down 10 kills herself and hit a team-high .529.
Libero Denelle Smalley made a triumphant return to the position she played much of last season, picking up a match-high 16 digs to pace the Tritons.
For the third match in a row, UCSD significantly out-hit its opponent attacking at a .324 clip on the evening compared to the Aggies’ .106.
Ohta ‹ the conductor of the Tritons’ offensive symphony ‹ credited teamwork and a sense of mutual responsibility as the keys to the efficient manner with which UCSD was able to pick up a trio of wins.
“”I think [the key was] just coming together as a team. Even when we were kind of shaky at times, everyone came together and didn’t panic. I don’t think anyone ever thought we were going to lose,”” Ohta said. “”We aren’t really a team that has stars. Everyone has to do their part.””
UCSD will be working together toward winning a CCAA championship race that has suddenly heated up after Cal State San Bernardino ‹ the top-ranked team in Division II ‹ was upset by Cal Poly Pomona, leaving CSUSB, Cal State Los Angeles and UCSD with one loss apiece in the CCAA. The solution is readily apparent to the Tritons.
“”We can’t lose any more games in conference if we want to host regionals,”” Ohta said.
With 13 games remaining on the conference schedule for UCSD, the task will be imposing. The Tritons continue their quest Oct. 10 and Oct. 11 with home matches against San Francisco State and Sonoma State. First serves for each match are at 7 p.m. in RIMAC Arena.
