Nov. 13, 2004
IRVINE, Calif. - Senior libero Kristin Nelson made history Saturday night as the 18th-ranked UC Santa Barbara women's volleyball team extended its season-long winning streak to 11 straight matches with a 19-30, 30-24, 30-28, 33-31 victory over UC Irvine in Crawford Hall.
Nelson became the Gauchos' all-time leader in career digs with 1,651 as her 34 scoops on the evening helped the Gauchos improve to 21-3 overall and 15-2 in Big West Conference play. UCSB - which has already clinched its third straight league title by virtue of Friday's win at Long Beach State - avenged its defeat last season at UCI, which fell to 17-8, 10-6 in the Big West.
For the second straight night, Santa Barbara rallied for victory after dropping the first frame. With the score tied at 15-15 in game one, UCI rattled off 11 consecutive points, highlighted by a pair of Sami Cash blocks against UCSB and a Cash kill. Kelly Wing and middle blocker Amanda Vazquez teamed for a block assist on game point.
In game two, the Gauchos jumped ahead early with a 5-1 lead. The Anteaters managed to catch UCSB at 14-14 on White's kill in the corner, but UCI followed with an attack error. Two service aces put visiting UCSB up 23-19, while Janine Sandell and Megan Blackshire teamed up late in the game to block Cash for the 28-24 lead. Sandell put the ball away on the next play and White's attack error would tie the contest at a game apiece.
Wing delivered a pair of service winners in game three for the 4-1 lead. UCI would enjoy a four-point advantage until the Gauchos tied the game at 14-14 on a service ace by Jamie Garbisch. UCI reclaimed the lead at 22-21 on a service error by Waldowski, but Vazquez followed with one of her own (22-22). The Gauchos took the lead for good with a three-point rally, highlighted by kills from Waldowski and Sandell. Sandell would put the ball away on game point for the win.
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The two teams traded points early in game four, but the Anteaters again would have to come back as UCSB built a three-point lead. Cash's solo block on a UCSB attempt tied the game at 12-12. UCI held the 30-29 lead as White and Vazquez blocked Johansen, but the Gauchos answered back, blocking a UCI attempt. An Anteater service error tied the game at 31-31 and Gabisch's kill was followed by an Olivia Waldowski ace to end the match.
Sandell led Santa Barbara with 17 kills, while she added a career-high 22 digs gave her the 10th double-double of her career. Blackshire was one of three other Gauchos with double-digit put-aways, slamming home 16. Garbisch's 12 kills established a new personal best.
On her historic night, Nelson maintained her streak of leading the Gauchos' in digs in all 24 matches this season, while Garbisch added a career-high 15 scoops. For the fourth straight contest, UCSB amassed double-digit blocks with 13.0, including six from Waldowski.
Wing paced the Anteaters with a match-best 27 kills coupled with 21 digs. Irvine lost despite out-hitting UCSB .234 to .226.
The Gauchos conclude Big West play on Thursday, Nov. 18 at Central Coast rival Cal Poly. The match can be heard live at 7:00 p.m. on KCSB 91.9FM.
