Sept. 11, 2010
Box Score
PULLMAN, Wash. -- Meagan Ganzer's 26 kills was not enough for the Washington State Cougars volleyball team as Cal Poly prevailed in the Nike Cougar Challenge tournament title match Saturday with set scores of 25-19, 25-19, 19-25, and 25-16 at Bohler Gym.
Washington State, now 5-4 on the season, was led by Ganzer's 26 kills (.393), three blocks, two aces and 10 digs. Brittany Tillman added 10 kills (.444) and had a match-high five blocks. Sara Biondi had 45 assists and Ocean Bush had 16 digs. The Cougars has two aces and 11 service errors in the match.
Cal Poly's Kristina Graven had 20 kills (.415) and 12 digs, followed statistically by Catie Smith with 15 kills and 12 digs and Jennifer Keddy's 14 kills (.542). Setter Sarah Cawrse had 48 assists and Alison Mort had 16 digs.
"I liked that our two middle hit .278 and .444 with 18 attempts tonight," Cougar Head Coach Andrew Palileo said. "Sara did a good job of mixing it up so I'm happy with that part of the game. We have a lot to work on and I told the team we will continue to train and continue to get individually better and that will make us better as a team."
Kaleinani Kablis started in her first match as a Cougar and contributed nine digs. The 5-7 outside hitter from Hilo, Hawai'i transferred from Western Nebraska CC but had knee surgery and missed the first three weeks.
"We are looking for someone who can hit the ball outside and not make a lot of errors," Palileo said. "I'm taking my chances so we don't lose points on easy plays. I thought having Oceana and Kalei in there all six rotations really helped us out. Kalei is still getting in game speed and thinking about that knee but I think she did fairly well."
CP took an 18-13 lead in the first set and extended to a 24-17 lead. Cougars stopped the Mustangs twice but the visitors prevailed 25-19. Cal Poly hit .389 in the opener with three players landing five kills each and out-blocked the Cougs 5-to-1.
WSU was ahead in the second set 18-17 but was plagued by a pair of errant serves, a receiving error and two attack errors. WSU hit .233 but the Mustangs hit .452 and win the set 25-19.
Kabalis moved to libero in the third set and Bush again played outside hitter. Whether it was the lineup change or the long chat at the break, the Cougars come out ready to play and took charge of this set from the first serve, fending off a late charge by Cal Poly. Ganzer had nine kills on 13 attacks with no errors in this set. Cougars hit .536 as a team and win this one 25-19.
The fourth set was dominated by the Mustangs and although the Cougars has small rallies, it was not enough. Cal Poly wins 25-16.
The Nike Cougar Challenge all-tournament team, as chosen by the coaches: Rachelle Allen, Montana State; Chenoa Covaire, Eastern Washington; Jennifer Keddy, Cal Poly; Meagan Ganzer, WSU; Brittany Tillman, WSU; Libero - Alison Mort, Cal Poly; and MVP - Kristina Graven, Cal Poly.
In the earlier match Saturday, Cal Poly defeated Montana State 25-10, 25-12, 25-11. Kristina Graven led the Mustangs with 15 kills and Catie Smith had 11. MSU's Rachelle Allen led the Bobcats with seven kills.
Washington State hosts Gonzaga Tuesday, Sept. 14, in a 7 p.m. match in Bohler Gym. This is the Cougars last non-conference contest. WSU begins Pac-10 play Sept. 24 at Oregon.
