UC San Diego Comes Up Short in Division III Volleyball Showdown

Second-ranked UC San Diego lost its first Division III women’s volleyball match of the season, to top-ranked Washington University (St. Louis), Saturday at the Washington University National Invitational. UCSD lost to the hosts, 15-12, 12-15, 15-6, 15-13 in the championship.

The Tritons defeated the College of Saint Benedict (Minn.) (22-3), 15-12, 12-15, 15-13, 15-13, earlier to set up the showdown between top two Division III teams in the nation.

Vikki Van Duyne had 29 kills and Elizabeth Tan had 26 on the day for UCSD (27-7). Both were named to the all-tournament team. Washington University improved to 22-2.

Host Pepperdine defeated University of San Diego, 15-5, 17-15, 15-5, in a West Coast Athletic Conference match. Angie Rais and Maria Rickard had 10 kills apiece for USD (10-12, 2-4). Pepperdine is 16-5, 6-0.

Christian Heritage defeated Loma Linda-Riverside, 5-15, 16-14, 6-15, 15-11, 15-11 behind Melanie Barringer, who had 11 kills. Christian Heritage is 6-2, 5-0 in the NCCAA West Region.

Despite 14 kills by Stephanie Milbradt, U.S. International (7-19) lost in four games to CS Bakersfield, 15-5, 15-10, 8-15, 15-9, in a nonconference match. Bakersfield is 14-8.

MEN’S SOCCER

Christian Heritage played Christ College Irvine to a 0-0 overtime tie at Christian Heritage (2-8-1). Former SDSU goalie John Garretson tied his CHC record with 20 saves. The Hawks snapped a four-game losing streak.

WOMEN’S SOCCER

USIU forward Nikki Roche, a Santana High graduate, scored on a penalty kick with just over two minutes left to break her record for goals in a season with nine in a 3-1 nonconference loss to California (9-5-1). Roche scored eight goals her freshman season for USIU (6-9-1). She is already the Gulls’ all-time leading scorer with 19.

Karin Lindsay headed in a corner kick from Kalyn Shea at 13:34 to score UCSD’s goal in a 1-0 victory over Occidental (5-5-2) at UCSD.

Third-ranked UCSD (12-2-1) outshot Occidental, 21-3.

CROSS COUNTRY

Christian Heritage’s Heather Milner covered the Southern California College Invitational 5K course in 22:00 for a seventh-place finish.