Aug. 28, 2004
Box Score
LA JOLLA, Calif. - Middle blocker Kristy Carstensen (Sr., Puyallup) had a match-high 17 kills on 38 attempts with just three errors for a .368 attack percentage, leading nationally ranked Western Washington University to a 30-9, 33-31, 30-24 sweep of Chico State University in final-day action Saturday at the UC San Diego Invitational Volleyball Tournament being held at RIMAC Arena. It was the first victory of the season for the Vikings, ranked No.9 in the AVCA/NCAA Division II preseason Top 25, who are 1-2 after opening the tourney Friday with losses to No.7 Cal State San Bernardino (3-0) and Cal State L.A. (3-1). Chico State dropped to 0-4. Western closes out tournament play tonight at 7:30 p.m. against host and No.2-ranked UC San Diego. "I think we played with a little bit more confidence today," said Western coach Diane Flick. "We relaxed and realized that we don't have to put so much pressure on ourselves." The Vikings scored 22 of the last 25 points in game one, Carstensen and outside hitter Brianna Murray (Sr., Everett/Cascade) each having three aces. "We just came out with really solid play, Flick said. "We were picking up balls, our hitters were getting available, and our serving was wonderful." In game two, Western fought off three game points to win, and in game three, the Vikings scored five straight points to take a 20-15 lead, and Chico State never got closer than three after that. Murray had 10 kills as Western posted a .293 attack percentage, while holding the Wildcats to .096. Libero Courtney Schneider (Fr., Snohomish) had a match-high 23 digs and Jamie Petersen (Jr., Kent/Kentwood) added 12. Chico State was led by Meghan McKinney with 14 kills and 17 digs.
