Masakayan Leads UCLA Women Past San Diego State in Volleyball

Liz Masakayan, using hard cross-court spikes and soft over-the-net drops, was the killer Wednesday night as the No. 2-ranked UCLA women’s volleyball scored a 7-15, 15-9, 15-9, 15-2 nonconference victory over No. 18 San Diego State before 1,522 fans at Pauley Pavilion.

Masakayan, the 1984 College Player of the Year, recorded 24 kills in 47 attempts from all sides of the court to keep the San Diego State defense off-balance.

Most of Masakayan’s kills came off high, accurate sets from Michelle Boyette. Boyette, another senior All-American, nearly took over the setting responsibilities completely for the defending national champions, recording 63 assists, mostly going to Masakayan and sophomore Lori Zeno.

After being stopped in the first set by the strong net play of Renee Pankopf and Angelica Jackson, the Bruins rallied for a 12-3 lead in the second set with Masakayan recording six kills and Lisa Ettesvold adding four. The Aztecs had closed within 13-9 before sophomore Leslie Brewer made a soft drop shot over the middle to win the game, 15-9.

The teams stayed within three points of each other through most of the third set, but Masakayan again was the difference with six kills and a service ace.

The final set was all UCLA, Masakayan and Katie McGarrey taking the Bruins to an 8-1 lead.

For San Diego State, Jackson hit 17 kills in 38 attempts, while Pankopf finished with 14 in 41.