Broncos Best Highlanders Volleyball 3-0 at Sac State Invitational

Friday, September 4

Sacramento, CA

5:00 pm

UC Riverside

Santa Clara

Kelly Simpson (left) had four kills and four digs for UCR against Santa Clara.

Broncos Best Highlanders Volleyball 3-0 at Sac State Invitational

9/4/2009 5:02:18 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score - Santa Clara 3, UC Riverside 0

Sacramento, CA - The UC Riverside volleyball team returned to the courts at the Sacramento State Invitational for the second week of play during the 2009 season, and up first was a match against Santa Clara. SCU, who ranked #25 in the preseason poll and are currently receiving votes in the most updated poll, got the best of the Highlanders, winning by scores of 25-21, 25-16, and 25-15.

Dominique Cowling led the Highlanders (0-4) with nine kills while Bianca Endersby had a hand in seven kills and Brittney Murrey added 21 assists.

The Highlanders opened up the first set with five consecutive points to take a 5-1 lead and extended it to their largest margin, 10-3, off a Cowling service ace. The Broncos (2-2) then made a 11-4 run and tied things up at 14 apiece before taking the lead, 16-15 -- their first since the inital moments of play. UCR rallied for three straight points to retake the lead, 18-16, off a Kelly Simpson kill before being outscored down the stretch and falling 25-21.

UCR looked to regain momentum and tie things up in the second set, but after keeping it close early on the Highlanders could get no closer than four points as the Broncos won 25-16. In the third set, UCR was no match for Santa Clara, falling 25-15.

UC Riverside continues with the Sacramento State Invitational as they prepare for two matches tomorrow: host Sac State at 12:30 pm and Cal State Bakersfield at 5:00 pm.