Volleyball Roundup : SDSU Women Defeat Texas A&M; in Tournament Opener; USIU Sweeps

Renee Pankopf had 14 kills and Kris Morton played a part in nine blocks to lead No. 10-ranked San Diego State past No. 14 Texas A&M; Thursday night in the opening round of pool play in the ninth annual Michelob Light Aztec Classic women’s volleyball tournament.

The Aztecs (8-2), who have never won their tournament, beat the Aggies, 15-10, 17-15, 15-8.

Pankopf and Morton, both middle blockers, led Aztec domination of the net. Outside hitter Kim Harsch had nine kills and setter Liane Sato had 35 assists.

In other action, California beat Iowa, 17-15, 15-11, 15-9; George Washington beat Oregon State, 15-9, 17-15, 11-15, 15-4; and Arizona State beat Houston, 15-7, 15-13, 15-8.

The tournament continues today, with play starting at 10 and continuing through the evening at Peterson Gym and the Women’s Gym on the SDSU campus. The Aztecs play Iowa at 12:30 p.m. in the Women’s Gym and California at 7:30 in Peterson.

The top two teams in each pool advance to the semifinals Saturday. The championship match is set for 7:30 Saturday night in Peterson Gym.

Texas A&M;, which had a 33-4 record last year, was expected to be SDSU’s top competitor for the tournament title. The Aztecs and Aggies are the only two nationally ranked teams in the tournament.

Since two teams move into the semifinals from each pool, the Aztecs and Aggies could meet again, in the finals.

SDSU finished third in the tournament last year. San Luis Obispo was the champion.

U.S. International University, back from a losing trip in the Rocky Mountain area, crushed Cal State Los Angeles, 15-9, 15-11, 15-13, at La Mesa. The Gulls (5-7), sparked by middle blocker Claudia Johnson and outside hitter Nancy Dome, led throughout in defeating CSLA at Grossmont College. Johnson paced USIU with 14 kills. Dome added 13.

It was USIU’s first local match since playing five matches--three against Top 20 teams--in Colorado and Wyoming. The Gulls won just once, beating Idaho, 15-8, 15-9, 15-5, for fifth place in the Wyoming Invitational. USIU’s losses on the trip were to No. 12 Colorado State, No. 15 Long Beach State, No. 20 Wyoming and Montana.

USIU returns to action Monday, when it travels to UC Riverside.