Aug. 30, 2008
SAN DIEGO - San Diego State volleyball concluded its opening weekend of action as it dropped a 3-0 (25-13, 25-23, 25-15) decision to 22nd-ranked University of San Diego in the final of the 2008 Aztec Invitational. The win kept the Toreros perfect on the young season at 3-0 as they emerged with the tourney title after also besting UC Irvine and Albany as well over the weekend. SDSU, meanwhile, saw its record fall to 1-2.
Aztec middle blocker Lauren Salisbury and right side hitter Kelsey Manasco were named to the all-tournament team at the conclusion of the match against USD. Over the three matches, Salisbury averaged 4.20 kills and 1.00 block per game while hitting .515. Manasco compiled a .405 attack percentage with averages of 2.20 kpg and 0.90 bpg.
Salisbury led the Aztec against USD with 11 kills and three blocks while freshman Kyley Sexton recorded seven kills for the second straight match. Sexton also chipped in with five digs, matching Stephanie Darnall's total for team honors on the night. Manasco finished with three kills in the final match of the tournament, but hit .500 and added a pair of block assists.
USD's Amy DeGroot led all players with 14 kills en route to being named the MVP of the Invitational. Fellow Torero Jaimarie Sutherland had a dozen kills as her team hit .383 for the match while holding the Aztecs to a .125 attack percentage.
The Toreros came out firing on all cylinders as they took control of the first set, running out to a quick 13-2 lead and never looking back in the 12-point win. SDSU could manage only five kills in the contest as they were held to a -.037 hitting percentage.
The second set was a much closer affair as the score was tied seven times and the lead changed hands on four occasions. San Diego State found itself with a 23-21 lead late in the contest, but the visitors scored four straight points on three Aztec attack errors and a kill by Ashton Busch to go up two sets to none.
After the heartbreaking loss, SDSU got out of the gate slowly in the third set, falling behind 3-0 early and watching USD gradually build upon that advantage en route to winning the set and match.
Up next for the Aztecs is a trip to Texas to participate in the Baylor Classic next weekend against a field that includes Weber State and Texas-San Antonio in addition to the host school. SDSU opens play in Waco with a match against Baylor on Friday, Sept. 5, at 7:00 p.m. (CDT).