FULLERTON — The UCSB women’s volleyball team extended its winning streak to a season-best three matches on Saturday evening as it defeated Cal State Fullerton at Titan Gym.
The Gauchos defeated the Titans, 25-19, 22-25, 25-18, 25-16, posting their first four-set match victory of the 2008 season. Prior to Saturday night, the Gauchos had gone 0-4 in four-set contests.
With the win, UCSB improves to 6-7 overall and holds a perfect 2-0 Big West record, marking its best conference opening since the 2004 season.
The Titans fall to 6-10 overall and 0-2 in conference play.
For the second consecutive night, senior Lauren McLaughlin led the Gauchos offensively laying down 18 kills and 10 digs for her fourth double-double of the season. The outside hitter committed just two errors on her 54 attempts for a .296 clip.
Sophomore outside hitter Charlene DeHoog also posted double-digit kills with 13 total during the match. Sophomore middle blocker Kasey Kipp delivered eight kills and a .350 hitting percentage (1e, 20att) along with three blocks. Junior outside hitter Rebecca Saraceno also delivered eight kills along with 12 digs and three total blocks.
Sophomore setter Dana Vargas notched a double-double with 34 assists and 10 digs. She also pitched in four kills, one service ace and two block assists. Fellow setter Jessica Welch handed out 11 assists and tallied the Gauchos? other ace along with five digs.
Junior transfer Chelsea Pavlik posted a career-best four kills in the match along with a career-high 11 digs. Senior libero Leigh Stephenson led all players with her 22 digs.
Brittany Moore, who had 12 kills and 13 digs in the loss, led the Titans. Erin Saddler was second on the team with 10 kills and Alex Wolnisty had nine kills and a team-best five total blocks. Genie Francisco dished out 40 assists and had 13 digs and Cali Croteau tallied a team- leading 16 digs in the match.
After five weeks on the road, UCSB will finally open at home next Friday, Oct. 3 with a Big West Conference match against Pacific at 7:00 p.m. at the Thunderdome. The Tigers are also undefeated in Big West play.
