Nov. 25, 2005

Box Score

LONG BEACH, Calif. - For the 26th time in the last 30 years, UC Santa Barbara women's volleyball can call itself a 20-win team thanks to a 30-19, 30-24, 30-27 triumph Friday over Florida A&M during the Baden Thanksgiving Classic in the Walter Pyramid.

With their seventh straight win and 16 in the past 17 matches, the Gauchos improved to 20-8 overall. Meanwhile Florida A&M - which has already earned an NCAA Tournament berth by virtue of winning the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title - fell to 21-5 with its first loss since September.

For the 27th time this season, junior outside hitter Janine Sandell paced the UCSB offense with a match-high 16 kills, hitting .286 in the process. Santa Barbara freshman Lauren McLaughlin tallied 11 put-aways and added 10 digs for her sixth double-double of 2005, while sophomore setter Ashley Dutro also enjoyed a double-dip in the form of 39 assists and 11 scoops. Junior libero Emily Hendrickson led all players with 18 digs, while junior middle blocker Olivia Waldowski tallied six block assists. The Gauchos held an advantage in every statistical category.

Adriana Kostadinova led the Rattlers with 14 kills, followed by Maria Adonova with 11. Rosa Rojas was FAMU's top digging artist with 17.

UCSB closes Baden Thanksgiving Classic play - and the 2005 regular season - on Saturday, Nov. 26 against South Dakota State. The historic first-ever meeting between the Gauchos and Jackrabbits is slated for a 5:00 p.m. start in the Pyramid.