Nov. 2, 2007
Box Score
DAVIS, Calif. - Freshman Karen Pestolesi posted 13 kills while junior Lauren Kellerman added 11 to lead UC Irvine to a 30-28, 30-18, 30-21 sweep over UC Davis in an 88-minute Big West Conference women's volleyball match at the Pavilion Friday evening.
The Aggies move to 3-21 for the season and remain unbeaten in conference play at 0-12. The Anteaters, third in the Big West standings, improve to 18-8 overall and 8-3 in league.
No player broke double figures for UC Davis, which hit just .031 for the match. Junior Erin Turner posted seven kills with two aces and a pair of blocks. Freshman Melanie Adams came off the bench in Game 3 to provide three kills on 11 swings. Senior Katelyn Astruc provided two of her team's seven aces, and spelled starter Carson Lowden at setter in the final game.
Irvine's close Game 1 win was characterized by serving troubles on both sides of the court. The two teams combined for 14 service errors, but Pestolesi and Kellerman each posted five kills to pull through with the win. The Aggies struggled from the service line down the final stretch, committing three straight service errors including one that gave the Anteaters a 29-27 game point.
In the second, Kellerman had a kill and block during a nine-point run that elevated UCI to a 15-5 lead. Aside from a late 4-0 spell behind senior right-sider Katelyn Astruc's two aces, UC Davis never managed to close the gap. Sophomore middle Chelsea Ellis led the Anteaters with 5-0-8 offense, while senior Kristin Kelley served up a pair of aces in the 30-18 win.
Irvine stormed out to a 14-4 lead in the third before UC Davis fought back to a four-point deficit, thanks to a pair of kills and a block by senior Kelly Patterson. However, the Anteaters maintained a healthy seven-point cushion for the remainder of the match to finish the sweep. Kellerman teamed up with Kelley for a block to set up match point, then put a kill through the Aggies' midcourt for the match-winner.
UC Davis returns to action on Saturday for its home finale with UC Riverside. Seniors Astruc and Patterson will be honored as part of the evening's festivities.
