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Sept. 15, 2009

Box Score

SPOKANE, Wash. - It was a energetic atmosphere at the Martin Centre Tuesday for the Gonzaga University women's volleyball home opening match against Washington State University. Despite having the rowdy crowd on their side, the Bulldogs were unable to deal the Cougars their first loss of the season as they fell 3-0 (10-25, 15-25, 20-25) to their in-state rival.

GU dropped to 3-7 on the season with the setback while WSU eclipsed its win total from the 2008 season with the victory, improving to 11-0.

WSU jumped out to an 8-1 lead in the first set and extended it to a 19-7 advantage. WSU hit .429 in the 15-point victory and held GU to a .000 hitting percentage.

The Zags took an early 8-7 lead in the second set and the score was tied seven times up to 13-13. Washington State, however, went on a 12-2 run, including scoring the final six points for the 25-15 win.

In the third set, the Cougs had a 14-12 lead and moved it to a five-point differential before the Zags knotted it up at 19. Still tied at 20, WSU stringed together another five point run to take the 25-20 set victory.

Gonzaga was held to 33 kills with senior Michelle Boevers leading the way with a team-high nine. Classmate Layne Brosky and sophomore Kaprina Goodwin were the only other Zags to finish with five or more kills; tallying seven and five, respectively.

Sophomore setter Denise Van de Mortel dished out 32 assists for GU as it connected for only a .096 attacking clip on the night.

Washington State's offense was on point, as it finished with 45 kills and a solid .379 hitting percentage. The well rounded offense was led by Brittany Tillman who had 12 kills, no errors, on 19 total attempts for an impressive .632 hitting night.

Gonzaga continues its four-match homestand when it welcomes the University of North Dakota to the Martin Center on Wednesday, Sept. 23. Match time is set for 7 p.m.