Post by bigfan on Nov 20, 2006 13:11:29 GMT -5
Thompson sets record in Senior Night sweep
By Joshua Mayers
What a home finale for Courtney Thompson.
Setter Courtney Thompson reacts to a Husky point in the second game of Thursday’s 3-1 win over Arizona at Hec Edmundson Pavilion.
Libero Tamari Miyashiro dives for the ball in last week’s match against Arizona. The Huskies swept Arizona State in straight games Friday night at Hec Edmundson Pavilion.
The senior broke the Pac-10 career assists record in her final regular season game at Washington, as the No. 2 Huskies swept Arizona State 30-22, 30-22, 30-23 at Hec Edmundson Pavilion on Friday night.
Thompson had 46 assists to boost her total to 6,238, which ranks 10th in NCAA history.
“I could just tell she was going to have a good match and she did,” coach Jim McLaughlin told gohuskies.com. “The history of the Pac-10 Conference has been so good. She is the number-one setter in the history of the conference and that is just phenomenal.”
The Husky attack was led by outside hitter Christal Morrison, who had 17 kills and no errors on 33 swings. Fellow junior Stevie Mussie chipped in with 15 kills, while senior Janine Sandell had eight.
Washington (24-3, 14-2 Pac-10) hit .310 on the night and totaled 54 kills.
“Christal was good and Stevie started very strong,” McLaughlin told gohuskies.com. “Stevie hit a lot of balls in transition and took some really good swings on the ball.”
But the night belonged to Thompson.
The senior has two regular season games remaining before the NCAA tournament to add to her total.
“She has meant everything to this program’s success in the last few years,” McLaughlin told gohuskies.com. “What it comes down to is that we need a good quarterback, and she does all the right stuff for us.”
Defensively, Washington was led by libero Tamari Miyashiro. The freshman recorded 26 digs and needs just two more to reach 500 on the year.
“I just hope she gets Freshman of the Year,” McLaughlin told gohuskies.com.
The only other Husky to meet that mark is current U.S. National Team member Candace Lee.
The Huskies also had 12 blocks, led by eight from sophomore Jessica Swarbrick.
“What I am impressed with is our blocking,” McLaughlin told gohuskies.com. “We already lead the conference in digs per game and we are slowly climbing up there in blocks. If we get those two to meet up there at the top we are going to take some teams out.”
The Sun Devils (14-14, 6-11 Pac-10) were led by Nina Reeves, who had 17 kills, and Marina Mercer, who had 41 assists.
Next weekend, the Huskies will play their final two regular season games of the year on the road. On Friday, Washington will travel to Stanford in a battle for first in the conference. The next day the Dawgs go to Berkeley, Calif., to take on the Golden Bears.
“We worked hard and we’re in a good position now because we are going to head out to Stanford and play for the conference championship,” McLaughlin told gohuskies.com.
“That is the position that you want to be in.”
Reporter Joshua Mayers: joshuamayers@thedaily.washington.edu
By Joshua Mayers
What a home finale for Courtney Thompson.
Setter Courtney Thompson reacts to a Husky point in the second game of Thursday’s 3-1 win over Arizona at Hec Edmundson Pavilion.
Libero Tamari Miyashiro dives for the ball in last week’s match against Arizona. The Huskies swept Arizona State in straight games Friday night at Hec Edmundson Pavilion.
The senior broke the Pac-10 career assists record in her final regular season game at Washington, as the No. 2 Huskies swept Arizona State 30-22, 30-22, 30-23 at Hec Edmundson Pavilion on Friday night.
Thompson had 46 assists to boost her total to 6,238, which ranks 10th in NCAA history.
“I could just tell she was going to have a good match and she did,” coach Jim McLaughlin told gohuskies.com. “The history of the Pac-10 Conference has been so good. She is the number-one setter in the history of the conference and that is just phenomenal.”
The Husky attack was led by outside hitter Christal Morrison, who had 17 kills and no errors on 33 swings. Fellow junior Stevie Mussie chipped in with 15 kills, while senior Janine Sandell had eight.
Washington (24-3, 14-2 Pac-10) hit .310 on the night and totaled 54 kills.
“Christal was good and Stevie started very strong,” McLaughlin told gohuskies.com. “Stevie hit a lot of balls in transition and took some really good swings on the ball.”
But the night belonged to Thompson.
The senior has two regular season games remaining before the NCAA tournament to add to her total.
“She has meant everything to this program’s success in the last few years,” McLaughlin told gohuskies.com. “What it comes down to is that we need a good quarterback, and she does all the right stuff for us.”
Defensively, Washington was led by libero Tamari Miyashiro. The freshman recorded 26 digs and needs just two more to reach 500 on the year.
“I just hope she gets Freshman of the Year,” McLaughlin told gohuskies.com.
The only other Husky to meet that mark is current U.S. National Team member Candace Lee.
The Huskies also had 12 blocks, led by eight from sophomore Jessica Swarbrick.
“What I am impressed with is our blocking,” McLaughlin told gohuskies.com. “We already lead the conference in digs per game and we are slowly climbing up there in blocks. If we get those two to meet up there at the top we are going to take some teams out.”
The Sun Devils (14-14, 6-11 Pac-10) were led by Nina Reeves, who had 17 kills, and Marina Mercer, who had 41 assists.
Next weekend, the Huskies will play their final two regular season games of the year on the road. On Friday, Washington will travel to Stanford in a battle for first in the conference. The next day the Dawgs go to Berkeley, Calif., to take on the Golden Bears.
“We worked hard and we’re in a good position now because we are going to head out to Stanford and play for the conference championship,” McLaughlin told gohuskies.com.
“That is the position that you want to be in.”
Reporter Joshua Mayers: joshuamayers@thedaily.washington.edu