Sept. 5, 2014 Box Score
ELLENSBURG, Wash. - Libero
Samantha Hutchinson (Sr., University Place/Curtis) moved into second place among Western Washington University career dig leaders as the nationally ranked Vikings swept Cal State Stanislaus, 25-12, 25-22, 25-14, at the Central Washington University Wildcat Volleyball Invitational on Friday at Nicholson Pavilion on the CWU campus.
WWU, ranked No.12 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association NCAA Division II Coaches Top 25 Preseason Poll, improved to 2-0. The Vikings defeated No.16 Sonoma State, 3-1, on Thursday.
Hutchinson had a match-high 23 digs for a four-year total of 1,727. That moved her past Allison Gotz at 1,708. She now trails only Courtney Schneider (2004-07) with 2,695.
"Sam has been a student of the game, both technically and tactically, since she walked into our gym," said WWU head coach Diane Flick (15th year, 298-78) of Hutchinson, who was a first-team AVCA All-American last season and earned Great Northwest Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors for the second straight year.
"It is no surprise that she has risen through the record books. However, her best asset is that she sees her role as how best can she help her teammates. That stat is the one that doesn't get measured."
WWU had a .290 attack percentage with middle blocker Kayla Erickson (Sr., Gig Harbor/Peninsula) being the match leader in kills with 12. Arielle Turner (R-Fr., Leavenworth/Cascade) had nine and Jennica McPherson (Jr., Seattle/Kennedy) seven.
"We have some great takeaways from this match to help us get better for the future," Flick said.
WWU scored the last seven points in winning the first set. McPherson and Turner each having two kills during that stretch.
The Vikings overcame a 21-19 deficit to take the second set, scoring six of the last seven points - Rachel Roeder (Jr., Sammamish/Issaquah) ending it with two kills. There were 16 ties and six lead changes in the set.
WWU never trailed in the third set, McPherson finishing it and the match with two kills.
Cal State Stanislaus, which fell to 0-3, hit just .094.
WWU meets No.11 UC San Diego at 5:30 p.m. today, and plays No.8 Cal State San Bernardino on Saturday at 5 p.m.
