Sept. 10, 2011
The Georgetown University volleyball team kicked off their run at the Hilton Garden Inn Classic with a heartbreaking loss against the Sacramento State Hornets Friday night in Berkeley, Calif.
The Hoyas took the third set in definitive fashion, but were ultimately overpowered by the Hornets in four games. The scores were 25-20, 25-23, 25-19 and 25-17.
Ashley Malone (San Jose, Calif./St. Francis), whom is returning to her hometown for the first time in her collegiate career, recorded 42 assists, 13 digs and three service aces. Brooke Bachesta (Sammamish, Wash./Eastside Catholic) notched 12 kills and three digs on the night.
Tory Rezin (Morris, Ill./Morris) totaled a match-high 26 digs to complement her two assists and service ace, while Annalee Abell (Lexington, Ky./Henry Clay) had 10 kills, six digs and a .187 hitting percentage on the evening.
The Hoyas kept the sets close with consistent lead changes and score ties, ensuring they weren't going down easily. They battled from behind most of the first and second sets, and almost successfully mounted a comeback in the second set. After being down by seven, Georgetown relied on Abell, White and Alex Johnson (Tampa, Fla./Plant) for their dominant attacking ability, tying the score at 22 apiece. Sacramento State captured three of the last four points to close out the set.
The third set was a role reversal for the Hoyas, where they garnered a slim lead and were able to capitalize on Bachesta and Malone's presence on the court. The two combined for six kills in the set alone, along with Malone serving six of the Hoyas' 25 points. Unfortunately, Georgetown couldn't carry the synergetic momentum into the fourth set, as they fell behind the Hornets early and weren't able to capture a substantial lead.
The Hoyas' record comes to 4-3 on the season and will continue play tomorrow morning and afternoon. Their first opponent of the day is the Texas-Arlington Mavericks at 2 p.m. The Blue and Gray will then match up against the tournament host and no. 1 team Cal Golden Bears at 10 p.m.
