UC San Diego Wins Regional Volleyball Title

Diana Klintworth had 15 kills and Rachel Vetter and Dee Dee Bigelow had 13 each as host UC San Diego defeated LaVerne, 15-0, 15-5, 12-15, 15-6, to win the NCAA Division III Western Regional volleyball championship.

UCSD (32-8) advances to a Division III semifinal match against Juniata (Pa.) College Friday. The site and time will be announced today.

Carolyn Kaspar had 14 kills but San Diego State University lost a Big West match to the University of Pacific, 15-5, 15-9, 15-10. Krissy Fifer had 16 kills for Pacific. SDSU is 21-10 and 8-8; Pacific is 18-11, 13-4.

Jody Connors had 14 kills and 8 digs, but the University of San Diego dropped a West Coast Athletic Conference match to Santa Clara, 15-7, 15-9, 15-5. USD is 10-14 and 4-7; Santa Clara is 19-12 and 11-2.

FOOTBALL

The University of San Diego (5-4) finished its season Saturday against Azusa Pacific the same way it began 10 weeks ago against Menlo College. Saturday, the Toreros fell 14-13. Against Menlo it was 18-17, but earlier this week Menlo had to forfeit all 7 of its wins because it hadn’t filed the necessary eligibility papers on its athletes.

Head Coach Brian Fogarty might have been able to handle those losses better were it not for 3 other losses decided in the final moments of the game. On the field, USD lost 5 games by an average of 3 points. Twice USD gave up a winning touchdown late in the fourth quarter and three times the Toreros failed to score on their final drive when they appeared to be heading to victory. Saturday was no different.

Trailing 14-13, USD drove to Azusa Pacific’s 29-yard line with less than 3 minutes remaining--but failed to convert on a fourth and 2 situation. Azusa Pacific (7-1) took over on downs and ran out the clock.

The Toreros needed just a few more yards to be within Jim Morrison’s field goal range. The sophomore kicker had made his first two attempts, both in the third quarter, from 37 and 23 yards. “I’ve never seen anything like it,” said Fogarty. “It’s been the story of our season.”

USD Fullback Todd Jackson rushed 21 times for 84 yards including a second quarter 1-yard touchdown. The Toreros’ defense allowed Azusa Pacific 164 yards on 53 carries. USD set a single season school record for fewest rushing yards allowed with 663 for a 73.6-yard average.

MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY

Merrell Hora finished fourth, Steve Fenster was fifth and Roger Webb was sixth as UC San Diego tallied 49 points and finished second in the NCAA Division III Western Regional meet. Hora covered the 5-mile course in 26:16.4, Fenster’s time was 26:23.0 and Webb came in 26:30.8. Occidental was first with 34. Hora and Fenster qualified for next weekend’s NCAA Division III National meet in St. Louis.

WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY

Denise McFayden (18:22.4) placed second and Sharon Rockett (19:21.3) 10th as UC San Diego and Claremont-Mudd tied for second in the NCAA Division III Western Regionals on a 5,000-meter course at Castaic Lake. UC San Diego and Clairemont-Mudd’s 72 points trailed Occidental’s 25. McFayden qualified for next week’s National meet in St. Louis.

WOMEN’S SOCCER

Heather Mauro scored 2 overtime goals as UC San Diego defeated Ithaca (N.Y.) College, 2-0, to advance to today’s NCAA Division III championship game in Geneva, N.Y., against host William Smith College.