SAN DIEGO, Calif. - The Saginaw Valley State University volleyball team split a pair of matches on the final day of competition at the 2014 Seaside Invitational, hosted by Point Loma University. The Cardinals defeated Asuza Pacific by a score of 3-1 in the day's first match before falling by a score of 3-0 to the hosts of the tourney, Point Loma.
Match #1 - Asuza Pacific
Saginaw Valley jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the match after claiming the opening two sets by scores of 25-21 and 25-22, respectively. Azusa bounced back to take the third set by a 25-19 count, making the score 2-1. The Cardinals would respond with a decisive 25-17 score in the fourth and final set though to close out for the 3-1 victory.
Sophomore Andrea Brigham tallied a career-high 10 kills en route to being named the Chili's "Player of the Match." She was joined by Kelsey Ferla (11) and Ashley Driscoll (10) as the only Cardinals to record double-digit kills.
Sophomore Kelly Vellucci set a career-high with 44 assists in the match and junior Brooke Tiller posted a match-high 15 digs.
"We had a great team effort against a strong offensive team," said Head Coach Will Stanton. "Azusa Pacific had some great passers and hitters, and the game turned into a slugfest that was a great watch. It was back and forth for most of the match and our serving and blocking picked up towards the end of the match and we were able to pull away."
Match #2 - Point Loma
The Cards fell behind right out of the gate by a score of 25-15 in the first frame against the Sea Lions. Point Loma would then continue on and take the second and third sets by scores of 25-22 and 25-21, respectively, to close the match for the 3-0 win.
Senior Makenzie Frodle earned Chili's "Player of the Match" honors after posting a team-high seven kills while hitting .353 for the match.
Vellucci had 24 helpers and Tiller had a match-high 11 digs.
Saginaw Valley's record now stands at 3-1 overall after the road trip to San Diego. The Cardinals return home and play on Friday (9/12) against #13 Ferris State at 7:00 pm before hosting #14 Grand Valley State on Saturday (9/13) at 2:00 pm. It will be the first two GLIAC matches for the Cards.