Sept. 21, 2002
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Behind the hitting of Melissa Cansdale and Aspen McPartland, San Diego State defeated Alabama-Birmingham, 3-0 (30-20, 30-23, 30-18), at the Black and Gold Challenge in Winston-Salem, N.C. Saturday morning. The Aztecs improved to 2-0 in the tournament as they upped their overall season record to 8-6. The Blazers, meanwhile, fell to 3-10 on the year.
For the second match in a row, Cansdale led all players with 12 kills and also contributed five blocks. The junior outside hitter had set a career high with 16 kills Friday evening against Winthrop.
McPartland finished the contest with eight kills, 13 digs and five blocks while Zlatina Anguelova and seven kills and seven digs.
SDSU needed just over an hour to win the match in which they hit .219 as a team. The team's defense was again a high point as it held the Blazers to a hitting percentage of .084.
The Aztecs conclude tourney action with a match against the host Wake Forest Demon Deacons at 7:00 p.m. (EDT) Saturday night. SDSU returns home on Wednesday to take on Loyola Marymount at 6:00 p.m. in Peterson Gym.