Toros Volleyball Can't Down Golden Eagles as CSUDH Falls, 3-0

Carson, CA – The Toros began their 2007 home season against a familiar foe, No. 20 Cal State L.A., marking the 60th time that the two teams have met. The Golden Eagles displayed why they are nationally ranked, completing the sweep (16-30, 11-30, 20-30) and besting the Toros for the 33rd-straight match. With the loss CSUDH falls to 1-8, 0-1 CCAA on the season.

The Toros jumped out quickly against CSULA, scoring the first four points on three Golden Eagle attacking errors and a kill from Taylor Thompson from senior Kayleigh Spratt's set.

CSULA regrouped and tied the game at 6-6 on a kill by outside hitter Bianca Gorospe and, after the two teams split the next two points, the Golden Eagles took off and outscored the Toros 23-9 the rest of the way to take game one.

Neither team displayed a strong offense in the opener, with CSULA hitting .114 and the Toros at -.308.

Game two saw both teams open with sloppy play, each committing multiple errors to knot the game at 4-4. CSULA, however, again straightened out its play and dominated the Toros with a team hitting percentage of .476, committing two errors while holding CSUDH to a -.094 hitting percentage in taking game two easily.

After the intermission the Toros switched from a two setter offense to a single setter offense and stood their ground early on against the nationally-ranked Golden Eagles.

The teams were neck and neck with nine ties, the last coming at 16-16, behind the lone setting of senior Tiffany Bull.

However, the Toros' hopes of upsetting CSULA slowly faded away after consecutive CSUDH attacking errors gave the Golden Eagles an 18-16 lead.

Lauren Wells pounded down a ball to cut the deficit to one at 18-17, but Ursula Vieira fired back with a kill of her own to rebuild the two point lead at 19-17, which was as close as the Toro would get the rest of the game.

Gorospe led CSULA's offense with 16 kills and 10 digs and a .444 hitting percentage while Airess Padda added 11 kills in the win.

Freshmen Wells and Thompson led CSUDH's offense with nine and seven kills, respectively, with the latter chipping in two aces in the effort.

CSUDH will continue its homestand this Friday, September 7, when they host No. 9 UC San Diego, with first served schedule for 7:00 pm in the Torodome.

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