Nov. 7, 2003

Box Score

Portland, OR- The Saint Mary's women's volleyball team defeated WCC opponent Portland by the final score of 3-1. Game scores of the Gaels victory over the Pilots were 30-20, 30-20, 25-30, and 30-19. With the victory, Saint Mary's improved its overall season record to 18-10 and 4-6 in WCC play while Portland fell to 11-14 and 1-9 in WCC action.

The 3-1 victory over the Pilots marked an important milestone for the Saint Mary's women's volleyball team. With the win, this year's squad has matched the highest win total for a Gaels team since the volleyball program moved into Division I play in 1987. The last and only other Saint Mary's team to reach the 18-win plateau was the 1989 squad.

For the match, the Gaels exhibited a balanced offensive attack compounded with an aggressive defensive scheme. Offensively, the Gaels had a total of three players record a double-double while the defense recorded a total of 15 blocks to Portland's total of 5.

Leading the way for the Gaels offensively was Jill Parmele. The senior and current WCC player of the week, flashed brilliant offensive prowess by recording a match-high 26 kills against the Pilots. Parmele finished with a double-double for the match by also posting a total of 17 digs. The Acampo, CA native also finished the match with a total of two assists and one block assist. Also making positive offensive contributions was Kaui Salzman. The sophomore posted another double-double in WCC play by recording 13 kills and a team-high 20 digs on the match. The outside hitter also posted two assists and two block assists.

Defensively, the Gaels were anchored by junior Stacey O'Connor and Mandy Bible. O'Connor, a 2002 All-WCC Honorable Mention honoree finished with a match-high seven block assists to go with her two solo blocks on the evening. The middle blocker even got into the game offensively by recording a season-high 14 kills against the Pilots. Also play stellar defense was freshman Mandy Bible. The setter was second on the team with a total of five block assists. However, Bible contributed more then just defense to the team as the freshman recorded a double-double in assists and digs. Her 53 assists was a match-high to go with her 12 digs.

Also helping the Gaels to the victory was Cassandra Kolkka and Christina Kirk. Kolkka's versatility was an integral part to the Gaels win as she totaled six kills, five assists, 15 digs, and three block assists on the evening. Kirk, a freshman, also play well for Saint Mary's as she recorded six kills, three digs, one solo block, and two block assists on the evening.

Saint Mary's next match-up will be tomorrow, Saturday, November 8 at 8:30 PM in Spokane, WA as the team attempts to set a new Division I school record for the most overall wins in a season, as the team is scheduled to take on the Gonzaga Bulldogs.