Volleyball Blanks No. 23-ranked Texas, 3-0

Friday, August 29

Long Beach, CA

5:00 PM

Saint Mary's College of California

Texas

Volleyball Blanks No. 23-ranked Texas, 3-0

8/29/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball

Aug. 29, 2003

Box Score

Long Beach, CA- The Saint Mary's women's volleyball team started their 2003 season with an upset over No. 23-ranked Texas, 3-0, in the 2003 Mizuno Invitational. Game scores were 30-26, 33-31, 30-28 in the damatic win for the Gaels. Saint Mary's combined total of six serving aces and 46 digs proved to be too much for the Longhorns. The Gaels were also helped by Texas' .108 attack percentage and 28 errors. With the victory the Gaels start their season with a 1-0 record. Texas, a 2002 NCAA Tournament participant, falls to 0-1.

With standout performances from almost every player, the Gaels overcame their .156 team atttacking percentage by recording 26 block assists, and 46 digs. Saint Mary's senior Jill Parmele led all players with a total of 15 kills and also totaled three blocks. Parmele also served two aces and posted seven digs on the day. Freshman Mandy Bible played outstanding as well and proved to be vital to the Gaels successes as she led both teams with 41 assists. Bible's contributions didn't end there as she finished with the highest attacking percentage for all players with .667. Bible also recorded two serving aces and seven digs against the Longhorns.

Saint Mary's 2002 All-WCC Honorable Mention honorees Lindsey Bogason and Stacey O'Connor both provided invaluable consistency and experience throughout the match. Bogason provided steady support by contributing nine kills, five digs, and four block assists. O'Connor play was just as important as she led all players with six block assists. O'Connor also posted nine kills and three digs. Sophomore Kaui Salzman's overall play also carried the Gaels to victory as she had two aces, eight kills, nine digs, and five block assists.

The Gaels came out strong in game one, hitting .378. Both teams hitting percentages suffered in games two and three as both hit under .100. Texas closed out the match with a .022 hitting percentage in game three, recording 13 kills and 12 hitting errors. All-American Mira Topic led Texas (0-1) with 14 kills, but hit just .143. The Longhorns committed 28 errors for a .108 attack percentage on the evening. Kathryn Wilson finished with nine kills and Brandy Magee and Bethany Howden added six kills apiece. Texas was able to out-dig the Gaels 58-46, as Jenny Andrew and Erin Larson both contributed 12 digs.

Saint Mary's will resume play again tomorrow August 30 with two matches scheduled. The Gaels opening match will be at 11:00 AM when the prepare to take on the Northeastern Huskies in the opening match of the Fremont Investment & Loan Invitational. Following their match against the Huskies, the Gaels will take on host school CS Northridge for their final match of the day with play beginning at 7:00 PM.