St. Mary's press release:
smcgaels.collegesports.com/sports/w-volley/recaps/120404aaa.htmlHistory Made, 10th Seed Volleyball Reaches Sweet Sixteen
Saint Mary's Beats California in Five Games at Haas Pavilion
Dec. 3, 2004
Berkeley, CA - One record after another continues to be broken by the 10th seeded Saint Mary's volleyball team. On Friday night, the Gaels made history by beating California on its home court, 3-2, to reach the Sweet Sixteen in the 2004 NCAA Tournament. Saint Mary's won Game 5 15-13, and improved to 6-0 on the season when it comes to the deciding game. The Gaels will advance to Seattle, WA to compete in the Sweet Sixteen on Friday, December 10.
The Gaels beat Sacramento State in Round 1 of the tournament, and knocked off California in Round 2 of the tournament, avenging a first round loss to the Bears in last season's NCAA Tournament. Saint Mary's also improved to a school record 25-3 on the season.
"I'm pretty proud of our team," head coach Jon Stevenson said. "We had so many people step up tonight and make plays."
After splitting the first two games, the Gaels jumped out early in Game 5 and received a huge kill by junior Kaui Salzman with the score 14-13, to win the game and the match.
"I like that kind of pressure, I wanted to be set that game point," Salzman said.
Salzman finished the game with 18 kills, 19 digs, and one ace. Saint Mary's also received another huge game by sophomore Cassandra Kolkka. Kolkka had a match-high 22 kills and added 13 digs, one ace and four blocks.
"I just tried to find my rhythm with Mandy," Kolkka said. "It took me a while to figure it out."
The Gaels' Mandy Bible once again led the offense with 67 assists, 22 digs and five blocks. Lindsey Bogason added 17 kills, 10 digs and four blocks, Stacey O'Connor had eight kills and seven blocks and Mariko Coverdale had seven kills and three blocks. Missie Stidham recorded 23 digs as libero.
"I couldn't breathe straight for 10 minutes after Kaui got that kill," Bogason said. "Every year we've gotten better. I couldn't be happier that we are in the Sweet Sixteen."
In Game 5, the Gaels took an 8-6 lead before the change of sides. Saint Mary's won the next point for a 9-5 lead, before California called its first timeout. The Gaels took an 11-8 lead, before calling their first timeout in the final game. Saint Mary's won the next point for a 12-8 lead, forcing the Bears to call their final timeout. The Gaels took a 14-10 lead, before the Bears won the next two points, forcing Saint Mary's to take its final timeout.
In Game 4, California took a 13-10 lead early, before the Gaels called their first timeout. California continued to lead 24-18, forcing the Gaels to take their final timeout of the game. Saint Mary's won the next three points to cut the lead to 24-21, before California called its first timeout. The Bears went on to win the fourth game 30-24. Saint Mary's was led by Kolkka, who had seven kills and Salzman added four kills.
In Game 3, the Gaels jumped out to an early 7-3 lead before California called its first timeout. The Bears battled back and took a 12-10 lead, before Saint Mary's called its first timeout. Saint Mary's rallied to cut the lead to 21-20, forcing the Bears to call their final timeout. The Gaels took a 28-27 lead, before calling their final timeout of the game. Saint Mary's went on to win the game 30-28. The Gaels were led by Kolkka, who had five kills, Bogason had four kills, and Salzman added three kills.
In Game 2, both teams battled back-and-forth, until Saint Mary's took a 15-14 lead before the media timeout. The Gaels took a 21-20 lead, before they took their first timeout of the game. California won five of the next six points for a 25-22 lead, forcing the Gaels to take their final timeout. California went on to win the second game 30-26. The Gaels were led by Kolkka, who had five kills, and O'Connor and Bogason had three kills each.
In Game 1, the Gaels took a 12-9 lead before calling their first timeout. Saint Mary's carried a 23-22 lead after winning two consecutive points before California called its first timeout. The Gaels took a 27-25 lead, forcing the Bears to take their final timeout. Saint Mary's went on to win the first game 30-28 on a kill by Salzman. The Gaels were led by Salzman, who had seven kills in the game and Bogason added five kills.