Sept. 17, 2005

Box Score

Stanford, CA - It was only fitting that Missie Stidham was at the service line and Kaui Salzman recorded the final kill of the game in the Gaels' 3-2 victory over Utah State on Saturday night at Maples Pavilion. Stidham and Salzman carried the No. 23-ranked Saint Mary's volleyball team all match and led the Gaels to a 30-24, 30-32, 30-26, 25-30, 18-16 victory in their final match of the Stanford Invitational.

Stidham set a career-high with 31 kills in the match with a .308 hitting percentage and Salzman recorded 24 kills with a .333 hitting percentage. The two also recorded a combined 25 digs as the Gaels improved to 8-2 on the season.

Stidham and Salzman performed at a high level all weekend for the Gaels and were named to the All-Tournament Team for their efforts.

Saint Mary's was also led by setter Mandy Bible, who recorded 69 assists and seven digs. Christina Kirk set a career-high with 12 kills and added nine blocks.

In the deciding fifth game, both teams played back-and-forth early on until the Gaels scored three straight points to take a 9-7 lead. After a clutch block by Bible, the Gaels took a 12-9 lead, forcing Utah State to take its final timeout. The Aggies battled back to tie the game 13-13 after a key block, forcing the Gaels to take their first timeout. The Gaels used a tough jump serve by Stidham and a kill by Salzman to win the final point.

In the first game the Gaels jumped out early, taking an 11-5 lead before Utah State called its first timeout. After back-to-back aces by Kolkka, the Gaels led 19-11, forcing the Aggies to call their final timeout of the game. The Gaels went on to win the first game 30-24. Saint Mary's was led by Stidham, who had seven kills with a .700 hitting percentage. Salzman added four kills and four digs and Barker and Kirk each had three kills. Bible had 14 assists in the opening game.

In Game 2, the Aggies took an 11-5 lead over the Gaels, before Saint Mary's called its first timeout. Saint Mary's battled back to cut the Aggies' lead to 19-16 before Utah State called its first timeout. The Gaels continued to trail 24-21, but Saint Mary's rallied to take a 27-26 lead after a block by Salzman. Utah State scored the next two points to take a 28-27 lead before the Gaels called their final timeout. The Aggies went on to win the second game 32-30. The Gaels were led by Stidham, who had seven more kills and added three digs. Salzman had six kills and three digs in the game. Bible added 15 assists and two digs.

In the third game, the Aggies jumped in front of the Gaels for the second game in a row, this time taking an 18-13 lead before Saint Mary's called its first timeout. Saint Mary's battled back and went on a 9-3 run to take a 22-21 lead before the Aggies called their first timeout. The Gaels continued to lead 27-25 before the Aggies called their final timeout. Saint Mary's scored three out of the last four points to win the game 30-26. The Gaels were once again led by Stidham, who had eight kills and Salzman added five kills.

In Game 4, Utah State took an early 8-2 lead before the Gaels rallied back to tie the game 14-14. The Aggies then jumped in front 22-18 before Saint Mary's called its first timeout. The Aggies outscored the Gaels 4-1 to take a 26-19 lead, forcing the Gaels to call their final timeout. The Aggies went on to win the fourth game 30-25. Saint Mary's was led by Stidham and Salzman, who each had six kills in the game.

The Gaels return action on Friday, September 23 when they travel to Irvine to face UC Irvine at 7 p.m.

Stanford Invitational All-Tournament Team

Most Valuable PlayerFoluke Akinradewo (Stanford)
First TeamCynthia Barboza (Stanford)Kristen Richards (Stanford)Kaui Salzman (Saint Mary's)Missie Stidham (Saint Mary's)Janine Sandell (UC Santa Barbara)Zuzana Cernianska (Utah State)