Tritons take two conference losses against San Francisco State and Sonoma State.
Hard losses came at home last weekend for UCSD women’s volleyball team, as it lost in five sets against San Francisco State only to be swept for the first time in the 2014 season by Sonoma State the next night. The Tritons’ record dropped to 10–7 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association, 12–9 overall, and UCSD now shares fifth place in the league with Cal Poly Pomona.
UCSD lost the first two sets against San Francisco State last Friday at RIMAC Arena, only to come back in the third to make the match contestable. Senior opposite Caitlin Brenton led the rally effort and made a double-double on the match with 21 kills and 19 digs to propel the Tritons past the Gators in the fourth. In the deciding set the Gators regained control and ultimately defeated UCSD 15–9. UCSD hit 0.138 that night, and with the win, San Francisco State managed to tie the season series against the Tritons.
“We’re in a situation right now in the conference where a lot of teams are beating each other,” head coach Ricci Luyties told the UCSD Athletics Department. “We’ve let these last few games go, and we’re just not doing what we need to do. We put ourselves in a bad spot.”
The Tritons were swept at home for the first time in the 2014 season on Saturday by Sonoma State. The Seawolves trounced UCSD offensively, hitting 0.241 off strong serving to the Tritons’ 0.176. Sonoma State also beat UCSD on sideouts and kills while committing less errors overall. However, the Tritons were on top in both digs and blocks even as the Sonoma State offense produced a great night.
Despite the loss, UCSD started the match leading 4–0, a welcome change for the two previous slow starts that cost them the last two games. Freshman outside hitter Amanda Colla and junior setter Heidi Sierks both had double-doubles on the night, producing 10 kills, 10 hits, 24 assists and 15 digs.
UCSD holds its last homestand of the year this weekend with matches against No. 15 Cal State San Bernardino on Friday, Nov. 7th and Humboldt State on Saturday, Nov. 8. Both games are scheduled for 7 p.m. at RIMAC Arena. The Tritons will honor their three seniors Brenton, junior outside hitter and opposite Rachel Gam and sophomore setter Alyssa Lin on Saturday before the match is set to begin.
