Nov. 9, 2002

Final Stats

DAVIS, Calif. --- Setter Natalie Jandreau hit .471 and posted a match-high 23 digs to lead Grand Canyon to a four-game, 30-19, 30-25, 29-31, 30-22 win over UC Davis in California Collegiate Athletic Association women's volleyball action at Upper Hickey Gym Saturday night.

The Aggies fall to 8-21 on the season, and 4-16 in conference play. The Antelopes improve to 11-17 overall, and 6-14 in league.

Jandreau also recorded 52 assists, helping four teammates post double-figured kills. Mandy Forrest led the way with 22 kills and a .410 hitting average, while Kim Gabriel put up 13 and Melanie Vidoni and Danielle Davis each chalked up 11. Defensively, Vidoni, Davis and Krista Jacob each had 13 digs.

Cassandra Prell, one of two Aggie seniors playing in her final home match, led UC Davis with 13 kills. Jill McPheeters notched a career-best seven blocks on the night. Libero Mary McClelland posted a team-best 14 digs for the match. Senior Elizabeth Brown provided four kills on six attempts in the first game in her home finale.

"You always want your seniors to go out on a high note at home," said Aggie head coach Stephanie Hawbecker. "Cass is a go-to player for us right now. I'm glad that she and Liv got to step on the court and contribute in their last home match."

GCU took control of Game 1 when back-to-back kills by Vidoni ignited a five-point run, giving her team a 20-14 lead. Laura Huff served five straight points later in that game, with help from two kills and a block by Forrest, stretching the lead to 28-18. The 'Lopes hit 18 kills against just two errors in the game for a healthy .381 hitting average.

In Game 2, Grand Canyon opened up with a 15-6 lead, although UC Davis managed to chip that lead down to a 22-21 Antelope edge. Ellen Fitzpatrick's kill ended a long rally to help the Aggies stay within two points, then Kate Wilton put away a shot to keep the Aggies within striking distance at 26-24. However, Gabriel scored three of her team's final four points to give GCU a 30-25 win and a 2-0 game advantage.

UC Davis picked things up in the third game as a pair of blocks by Jill McPheeters highlighted a run that gave the Aggies a 15-10 lead. The 'Lopes crept back within one point, but a fine defensive effort by McClelland and a block and kill by McPheeters helped push the UC Davis lead to 24-20.

Late in Game 3, Huff's kill fended off a game point to put the scoreboard at 29-27 in favor of the Aggies. Amanda Ewing served up two points to force a 29-29 tiebreaker situation, but Prell put down back-to-back kills to end the third game and hold off an Antelope sweep. Her game-winning point - and her seventh kill of Game 3 - came from a net violation by Jandreau, who crossed the center line in an effort to stop the oncoming attempt.

Grand Canyon employed a 7-1 run to stretch a 15-12 lead into a more comfortable 22-13 margin. Forrest hit 7-0-11 as part of the Antelopes' 22-kill onslaught. The junior middle attacked the midcourt for the 29th point, then successfully tooled UC Davis' block for the game-winner.

UC Davis concludes its season with road matches at Cal St. Bakersfield and Cal St. Stanislaus.

GCU (kills-aces-blocks) - Kim Gabriel 13-0-1, Laura Huff 9-1-4, Mandy Forrest 22-1-3, Melanie Vidoni 11-0-3, Danielle Davis 11-1-0, Natalie Jandreau 9-1-3, Krista Jacob 0-0-0, Amanda Ewing 0-0-0. Totals 75-4-8.0. Assists - Natalie Jandreau 52. Digs leaders - Natalie Jandreau 23, Melanie Vidoni 13, Danielle Davis 13, Krista Jacob 13.

UC DAVIS (kills-aces-blocks) - Jennie Tilles 0-0-0, Kate Wilton 10-0-0, Cassandra Prell 13-0-0, Kim Vincent 10-1-1, Marritt Cafarchia 3-1-1, Elizabeth Brown 4-0-0, Mary McClelland 2-0-0, Jill McPheeters 5-0-7, Ellen Fitzpatrick 7-0-3. Totals 54-2-7.0. Assists - Marritt Cafarchia 48. Digs leaders - Mary McClelland 14, Kate Wilton 12, Kim Vincent 10, Marritt Cafarchia 10.

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