Nov. 24, 2001
Tucson, Ariz. - The 24th-ranked UCSB women's volleyball team concluded its 2001 regular season Saturday afternoon with a 30-22, 30-19, 30-27 defeat at No.4 Arizona in the championship match of the Four Points University Plaza Thanksgiving Tournament.
The loss dropped Santa Barbara's record to 17-13 overall, with all but one of those losses coming at the hands of a fellow nationally-ranked team. The Gauchos will now await the announcement of the 64-team NCAA Tournament field on Monday, Nov. 26 at.
The Wildcats, who improved to 21-4 on the season, hit a sizzling .348 Saturday in the McKale center en route to their three-game victory over Santa Barbara. The visitors registered just a .143 hitting percentage, and were out-dug by the U of A 71-48.
For the 22nd time this season, junior middle blocker Danielle Bauer led UCSB in kills, pounding home 12 balls. The Santa Ana, Calif., native has recorded double-digit put-aways in all but four of the Gauchos' 30 matches in 2001. Sophomore outside hitter Erica Menzel reached the 10-kill plateau, and joined Bauer on the all-tournament team. Getting the call to start at setter was senior Brooke Rundle, who notched a double-double with 19 assists and a team-high 12 digs.
However the home team saw three players reach double-digit kill totals, including Lisa Rutledge with a match-best 16 put-aways. She received all-tourney honors along with teammates Erin Sebbas, Jill Talbott and Dana Burkholder, who was named MVP of the Four Points University Plaza Thanksgiving Tournament. San Diego State's Katie Magnuson and Olympia Hughes of Denver rounded out the all-tournament team.
The NCAA Tournament Selection Show will air live on Monday at 12:00 p.m. PST on Fox Sports Net 2, Channel 38 in Santa Barbara.
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