Sept. 6, 2002
Columbia, S.C. – South Carolina volleyball used their offensive power and blocking defense to defeat Arizona State 3-1 in the night-cap match of the Carolina Classic. USC (3-1) beat the Sun Devils 33-31, 31-33, 30-26, 30-25 in two hours and 10 minutes before a crowd of 1,023, the largest ever for the Carolina Classic. The Gamecocks out-blocked ASU 16-1 in team blocks. Senior Cally Plummer led the team in kills with 18 while sophomore Niece Curry hit .527 (9 K, 0 E, 17 TA).
Freshman Sarah Morgan recorded her third double-double of the season, 13 kills and 15 digs. Megan Hosp recorded 49 assists, her second highest for the season. Seniors Sam Alban and Berna Dwyer also recorded double-figure kills.
“Offensively we did some very good things. Megan Hosp ran a very smooth offense tonight and I was pleased with that,” said head coach Kim Christopher. “I am definitely pleased with our blocking. I like the play I saw from freshman Amy Benson. She came in and sparked the team defensively.”
Game one came down to the wire as Carolina was down 28-29 and came from behind to win. Plummer connected on an assist from Hosp to tie the game at 29. USC then went ahead 30-9 as ASU’s Alicia Akporiaye recorded a hitting error. After an ASU timeout, the Sun Devils tied the match again on a kill by Juliana Escobar. Plummer then slammed a kill to put USC up 31-30 before another attack error by ASU gave Carolina the winning point.
Game two was more of the same, as the biggest lead by either team was only three points. Tied at 30, Berna Dwyer hit a kill to put USC ahead. ASU’s Escobar then tied the game with a kill and hit a service ace for the 32-33 lead. Kim Melhorn then sealed game two with a shot by Kim Melhorn.
Carolina recorded a season high 28 block assists while ASU only had two. After a 21-21 tie in game three, the Gamecocks grabbed the lead and held on as they were able to capitalize on hitting errors by the Sun Devils. USC took charge in game four as they never lost the lead and out hit ASU .366 to .146.
The Carolina Classic resumes Saturday morning at 10 a.m. with Carolina facing Creighton. ASU and No. 13 Pacific will follow at 12:30 p.m. The night session will match up ASU vs. Creighton and USC vs. No. 13 Pacific.
