Sept. 21, 2002
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - San Diego State captured the championship trophy at the Black and Gold Challenge by defeating the host Wake Forest Demon Deacons, 3-1 (30-28, 30-24, 23-30, 30-25), Saturday night at Reynolds Gym in Winston-Salem, N.C. With the victory, SDSU improved to 9-6 on the season while Wake fell to 5-7.
Junior Aspen McPartland led all players with 19 kills on the night while hitting .563. Her kill total marked a personal best, eclipsing her previous high of 17 set at UC Riverside during her freshman season.
Three other Aztecs finished the evening in double figures in kills. That group included Melissa Cansdale (13), Nicole Akporiaye (12) and Zlatina Anguelova (10). Akporiaye also contributed nine total blocks while Anguelova turned in her fifth double double of the season with 13 digs.
Aspen McPartland was named the tournament MVP after averaging 3.73 kills, 3.64 digs and 1.36 block a game over SDSU's three matches. Her hitting percentage over the course of the two-day event was .465. Setter Melissa Wright, who averaged 11.2 assists per game, was also named to the all-tournament team along with McPartland.
In addition to that duo, two other Aztecs had excellent performances during the tourney. Senior Nicole Akporiaye averaged over a block a game while hitting .467 at the net. Junior Melissa Cansdale averaged 4.10 kills per game and just under a block per contest,
SDSU's defense again proved solid, holding the Demon Deacons to a .197 hitting percentage. Over the course of their three matches at the tournament, the Aztecs held their three opponents to a .142 attack percentage.
Up next for San Diego State is a meeting with Loyola Marymount on Wednesday, Sept. 25, at 6:00 p.m. in Peterson Gym.