Sept. 11, 2004
SAN MARCOS, TEXAS - San Diego State, winless on the young season, suffered a heartbreaking 3-2 (30-27, 30-18, 26-30, 26-30, 8-15) loss at the hands of James Madison in their final match at the Century Tel/Honda Classic Premiere tournament in San Marcos, Texas, Saturday afternoon. The loss dropped the Aztecs to 0-7 while the Dukes improved their record to 5-2.
Playing some of its best volleyball of the year, SDSU jumped out to a two-games-to-none lead in the match while hitting .324 as a team over those first two contests. However, James Madison controlled the final three games as the Aztecs attack percentage fell to .066 in those three contests.
San Diego State got double figures in kills from four players, led by junior Melissa Stapley and sophomore Audra Dent with 14 apiece. It marked an SDSU career best for Dent, who also had six blocks, four digs and an ace over the five games.
Freshman Lindsey Mahan (12) and junior Angela Verdenacci (10) also hit double figures in kills. It was a season best for Mahan while it was Verdenacci's second match in her last three in which she has recorded 10 or more kills.
Ashley Bowker, the team's leading blocker, recorded six blocks after being shut out in her previous two matches. Stapley also had an excellent day at the net with four solo blocks, a season team best.
San Diego State continues tournament road action next weekend when it travels north top the Fresno State invitational. SDSU's first match in Fresno will come against 2004 NCAA Tournament participant San Francisco on Friday, Sept. 17, at 12:30 p.m.