San Francisco Tops Volleyball in Season Opener
Aug. 25, 2006
TUCSON, Ariz. - The University of Northern Colorado women's volleyball team suffered a season-opening 3-0 loss (30-25, 30-22, 30-23) to the University of San Francisco on day one of the Four Points Sheraton Arizona Invitational on Friday afternoon. Northern Colorado (0-1), who is eligible for NCAA Division I postseason for the first time in 2006, battled San Francisco (1-0) evenly through each set but could just not get over the hump and score a set victory.
San Francisco, who received votes in the AVCA preseason national poll, jumped out to a 15-9 lead in game one before withstanding a late Bears rally in winning 30-25. Game No. 2 was tied at 16 and the third set was tied at 15 before San Francisco pulled away in each.
"I was pleased with how our freshman played in their first collegiate match," said Bears second-year head coach Lyndsey Benson. "We just did not serve and pass as well as we needed to beat a team the caliber of San Francisco. But I feel that we approached the match the right way and can take some positives away. We'll get better for our next match."
Freshman Devon Crotteau led the Bears with eight kills. Sophomore Lenay Goble added five kills and hit a team-high .273 (5-2-11). Junior libero Abby Mayne notched a match-high 17 digs while Dulcie Stone added nine. In her first collegiate match, starting setter Kristen Schevikhoven had 20 assists.
USF was led by 13 kills from Kristin Hasselberg while Alix Gombos added 12 kills.
The loss in the season opener marked the third straight year the Bears have lost their first match of the season. Northern Colorado is now 23-8 all-time in season openers.
The road does not get easier for the Bears, who will challenge No. 18 Arizona tonight (7 p.m.) in game two of the event. Arizona swept Siena 3-0 in the morning's first match of the tournament.
