Sept. 7, 2002
Columbia, SC – South Carolina volleyball earned their first win against a ranked team this season as they defeated the No. 13 Pacific Tigers 30-21, 30-19, 30-24 for the 3-0 victory. Senior Megan Hosp was named tournament MVP while sophomore Niece Curry and senior Sam Alban was selected to the all-tournament team. Carolina improved to 5-1 while Pacific fell to 3-3.
“This was a great win for us. It is always great to win at home for your fans. I was pleased with the intensity we showed. I felt like we came ready to play tonight,” said head coach Kim Christopher. “Niece Curry had a great tournament and enough can’t be said about setter Megan Hosp’s play. Sam came up with some huge blocking for us which was vital during the tournament.”
Hosp registered 118 assists, averaging 11.80 per game for the tournament. She was second in the tournament with 10 service aces. Curry led the match in hitting with .556 (10 K, 0 E, 18 TA). For the tournament, the Kalamazoo, Mich. native hit .549 to lead the Gamecocks, recording 29 kills and one error in 51 attempts. Alban, a Portage, Mich. native led the tournament with 15 block assists.
Carolina hit an impressive .365 against the Tigers while Pacific was held to .183. Jennifer Joines led the Tigers with 12 kills. USC improves to 87-38 in tournament play since 1991. Under coach Christopher, Carolina is 62-22.
Senior Berna Dwyer recorded three service aces in game one alone, which led the match. USC out hit the Tigers .464 to .208 in the opening game. Carolina went two games without ever relinquishing the lead. In game three, Pacific led early in by only as much as three. USC tied the 10-10 and again at 11-11 before grabbing the lead and maintaining it.
Others named to the all-tournament team include: Julia Leddy, ASU; Juliana Escobar, ASU; Jennifer Joines, UOP and Ashley Williams, Creighton.
The Gamecocks return to action on Tuesday night when they host rival Clemson. The match is scheduled for a 7 p.m. start at the Volleyball Competition Facility. South Carolina leads the series 28-18.
