SDSU Women Return to No. 1 in County Volleyball Order
The UC San Diego and San Diego State women’s volleyball teams came to the All-County Tournament Wednesday looking for different things--and found them.
The Aztecs, ranked 14th in NCAA Division I, emphasized the difference between top Division I and Division III teams, routing UCSD, the two-time defending Division III champion, 15-1, 15-5, 15-5, in a 58-minute final at SDSU’s Peterson Gym.
SDSU came into the tournament trying to re-establish itself as the top program in the county after losing to U.S. International University in last year’s tournament at the University of San Diego.
SDSU (10-3) did so. The Aztecs did not get a chance to play USIU but swept the University of San Diego, 15-5, 15-11, 15-2, and then did the same to UCSD.
And even though its match against SDSU was lopsided, UCSD Coach Doug Dannevik saw some gains for the Tritons, who are again expected to challenge for the Division III national title.
“We did as good as we could,” Dannevik said. “Our goal was to beat USIU. We play this tournament because we can play two Division I schools, and no Division III school gets a chance to do that. We get better after matches like this.
“State did to us what we usually do against Division III school. It’s humbling, but it’s really good for us.”
UCSD accomplished its main goal when it defeated USIU in a surprisingly easy manner, winning, 5-15, 15-10, 15-11, 15-8.
“I’m happy to be the second-best team in the county with three Division I schools,” Dannevik said.
Besides flexing their muscles, the Aztecs got a chance to play their entire roster and pick up a couple confidence boosters after being upset by unranked Cal State Long Beach Tuesday on the road.
“I think (the Long Beach loss) motivated us, and we were also highly motivated today because (UCSD) got a game off us last year,” SDSU Coach Rudy Suwara said. “It felt good for all of them to play. It’s kind of fun to have all the teams in the county get together.”
SDSU’s Jackie Mendez was named the tournament MVP, and teammates Erin Tomblin and Amy Erben were named to the all-tournament team. Outside hitter Diana Klintworth and setter Laurie Bertanyi of UCSD, middle blocker Claudia Johnson of USIU and outside hitter Jody Connors of USD also were named to the team.