University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
Women's Volleyball Downs UC Santa Barbara
October 14, 1998
LOS ANGELES - In a tremendous night of women's volleyball action, UCLA rookie Kristee Porter powered UCLA (5-9) to a five-game victory and an upset of No. 4 ranked UC Santa Barbara (16-2) at Pauley Pavilion tonight. The Bruins lost the first two games, then regrouped to claim the match 13-15, 9-15, 15-10, 15-3, 15-11 as Porter, classmate Ashley Bowles and sophomore Elisabeth Bachman all turned in 20-plus kill outings.
All together five players (three from UCLA and two from UCSB) registered over 20 kills, numerous career highs were set and a pair of UCLA freshmen etched their names in the record books.
Porter registered 38 kills and 24 digs on the night making her the first freshman in UCLA history to surpass 30-kills in a match. Tonight's performance puts Porter second on the UCLA all-time best list, just five kills shy of the single match record of 43 set by Natalie Williams against Hawaii in 1991. In addition, Porter became only the fifth player in UCLA history to record over 30 kills and 20 digs in the same match and the only freshman in that prestigious club.
UCLA setter Erika Selsor also put her name high on the UCLA all-time record list as she provided 88 assists tonight. She is the first UCLA freshman with over 80 assists in a match and finishes third on the all-time list behind only Holly McPeak's outings of 97 and 95 during the 1990 season.
Bruin sophomore Elisabeth Bachman also enjoyed a career-high performance as she drilled 24 kills and hit a match-high .477 on the night. Fellow sophomore Amy Nihipali notched a season-high 12 kills and put down six blocks, including three solo. Also key in the victory were the 25 digs provided by senior Chaska Potter and 13 digs each by senior Mandi Lawson and sophomore Michelle Quon.
UCSB's Charlene Conley, a junior, posted a career-high 29 kills and hit a team-best .347 on the night. Fellow junior Roberta Gehlke added 26 kills and a team-high 17 digs for the Gauchos. Freshman setter Brooke Rundle provided 75 assists and Erin McCown chipped in 15 kills and 14 digs. Tonight's loss is only the second of the season (the other coming to No. 1 ranked Long Beach State) for fourth-ranked UCSB, who was without the services of senior middle blocker Katie Crawford due to an injury.
UCLA returns to action on Friday, Oct. 17 hosting the University of Washington in a 7:00 p.m. match at Pauley Pavilion.