UCLA
Washington
Bruins Down Huskies 3-0 in Pac-10 Opener
September 14, 2000 | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 14, 2000
LOS ANGELES, CA - The UCLA women's volleyball team started where it left off last season, with a Pac-10 victory. On Thursday evening at Pauley Pavilion, the Bruins downed visiting Washington, 15-8, 15-0, 15-12. UCLA, the defending Pac-10 Champions, is now 6-3 on the season, 1-0 Pac-10, while the Huskies fall to 4-3 overall, 0-1 Pac-10.
UCLA came out quickly in the first game of the match, opening with a 7-0 lead on the service of sophomore Lauren Fendrick. Washington climbed back into the game, closing the Bruin lead to 11-8, but they were unable to overcome a -.029 team hitting percentage and UCLA took the first game by a 15-8 margin.
The Bruins continued from there in the second game of the match, holding Washington to just three kills in the second game, and a -.091 attack percentage, while UCLA was connecting at a .500 clip. The game was closed out quickly, with UCLA taking the game 15-0.
In the third game, several Bruin freshmen saw action, including defensive specialist Alyssa Rylander, middle blocker Cira Wright and outside hitter Krystal McFarland. Washington had regrouped during the break between games two and three, and came out of the locker room to take a 2-0 lead. The Huskies built from there, eventually earning leads of 10-9 and 12-10 before the Bruins stormed back. UCLA spread around 15 kills in the game to go along with two blocks, including a solo stuff by Wright, closing out the game and the match with a 15-12 win.
"Overall, I was pleased with our performance tonight," said UCLA head coach Andy Banachowski. "We forced Washington into some attack errors, and was pleased t hat we came back in game three with some different players on the floor. Overall, I'd say it was a good start for us."
Kristee Porter led the Bruins with 14 kills, and was joined in double figures by Ashley Bowles, who had 10. Porter also hit a team-high .310 du ring the match. On the blocks, senior Elisabeth Bachman easily led the way, notching six block assists on the night.
The Bruins return to action on Friday night in Pauley Pavilion, when they take on Washington State, which is ranked 19th in the current Volleyball Magazine poll. Match time is set for 7 p.m., and an audio broadcast can be listened to on www.uclabruins.com.
