Sept. 11, 1999
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - The Purdue volleyball team won its second match in a row in the Northern Arizona Fiesta Bowl Tournament with a 15-8, 15-10, 15-6 victory against UC Irvine in its first match on the final day of competition. The Boilers improved to 4-1 with the win, while the Anteaters fell to 4-2.
It was offense that proved the difference in this Purdue victory. The Boilers hit at an astounding .389 clip (55-13-108) compared to the Anteaters? paltry .097 (41-29-124). Aneska Arosarena led the way for Purdue once again, registering 19 kills (on a .471 hitting percentage) to lead all players. It marks the third time this season and second time in a row Arosarena has led all Purdue players in kills.
Connie Paul and Julie Doud contributed double-figure kill matches also, with 11 and 10 respectively. Paul hit .474 (11-2-19) and Doud hit .350 (10-3-20).
The defense also came through for Purdue, which outblocked (7-5) and outdug (48-37) the Anteaters. Paul led the way with five blocks with Doud matching a career high with 12 digs. Taryn Catlin added 11 digs.
Purdue rattled off seven points in a row to start of Game 1 before UC Irvine could adjust. The Anteaters did make a comeback effort, going on a 5-1 run to close to within three at 8-5. But they would get no closer, as the Boilers used precise hitting and serving down the stretch to come away with a 15-8 victory.
A seesaw battle ensued is Game 2. UC Irvine held the lead early at 2-0, but Purdue quickly knotted the score on a kill by Sarah Emke. The Anteaters pushed their lead back to two again at 4-2, but the Boilers came back to deadlock the game at 4-apeice. An Irvine error gave Purdue its first lead at 5-4, just before the Anteaters provided the third tie of the game at 5-5. It was tied at 6-6, as well, but that was the last time a common score was shared. A 9-4 run by the Boilermakers to close out the game gave Purdue the 15-10 win.
The third game began much like the second, with both teams sparring back and forth. Despite the dance, Purdue managed to jump out to a 7-3 lead. The Boilers never looked back from there, going on an 8-3 run to win the game 15-6 for their first three-game victory of the season.
Purdue will face the host Northern Arizona Lumberjacks in the final match of the tournament at 7 p.m. MST tonight, Sept. 11.