Aug. 31, 2002
SAN DIEGO - After dropping its first game of the young season, 20th-ranked UC Santa Barbara came back to defeat San Diego State, 3-1 (28-30, 30-21, 30-16, 30-17) Saturday night at the Ramada Invitational at SDSU's Peterson Gym. The Gauchos claimed the tourney title after going a perfect 3-0 over the two-day event.
UCSB (3-0) compiled a team-hitting percentage of .400 over its three tournament matches after hitting .361 on the night against the Aztecs. Four Gauchos reached double figures in kills led by Erica Menzel and all-tournament selection Danielle Bauer with 18 apiece. Bauer also recorded a game-high eight blocks along with 14 digs.
The Aztecs (2-1) were led once again by junior Aspen McPartland, another all-tournament honoree, who finished the evening with 17 kills, four blocks and 11 digs. Rochelle Currier (13) and Zlatina Anguelova (11) also hit double figures in kills for SDSU.
After losing game one, took control of the match and did not trail in any of the final three games. They appeared to get stronger and the match went on behind the play of Bauer, Menzel, and setter Brooke Niles who was named the tournament MVP.
Despite the loss, three members of the SDSU squad finished the three-game tournament with hitting percentages above the .300 mark: Megan Schauermann (.400), McPartland (.395) and Nicole Akporiaye (.353). As a team, SDSU hit .276 over its three matches.
Up next for San Diego State is a trip to Hawaii to compete in the Aston Imua Wahine Challenge at the University of Hawai'i. SDSU's first match in the tourney will be against Washington on Thursday, Sept. 5, at 5:00 p.m. (HST).
2002 Ramada Invitational All-Tournament TeamAdriana Fundora, Flsorida InternationalBritney Hurst, TulaneAspen McPartland, San Diego StateMelissa Wright, San Diego StateDanielle Bauer, UC Santa BarbaraBrooke Niles, UC Santa Barbara - Tournament MVP