UCSD, Juniata in Semifinal

UC San Diego’s women will have a No. 1 ranking and a lot of history to defend in tonight’s semifinal match against fourth-ranked Juniata (Pa.) College in the NCAA Division III Women’s Volleyball championship tournament.

The Tritons (25-5), who play Juniata (42-5) at 3:30 p.m. PST at Washington University of St. Louis, are making their ninth final-four appearance and seek their seventh title in 11 years.

UCSD never has lost a postseason match outside of California. It beat Washington to recapture the championship last year, after the Bears broke a string of three Triton titles in 1989. Second-ranked Washington (40-4) will play No. 7 Wisconsin Oshkosh (42-6) in the other semifinal at 6 p.m. PST.

UCSD has lost just one starter from last year’s team--setter Amy Banachowky, a sophomore who transferred to play at UCLA for her father, Andy. Banachowky’s replacement, sophomore, Julie Fabian, was named All-West Region, as were outside hitter Dana Simone and middle blocker Elizabeth Tan, who is expected to become UCSD’s second three-time All-American.

Juniata is led by freshmen setter Heather Blough and sophomore middle blocker Larissa Weimer.