Sept. 18, 2003
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Lauren Ford posted a career high 17 kills while South Carolina (4-6) recorded a season high 17 total team blocks as they tied the match at four after beginning with a 2-0 deficit, but it was to no avail as No. 17 Santa Clara (6-4) pulled away at the end of game five for the 3-2 victory. Three Gamecocks posted double-digit kills and the Gamecocks hit .222 while Santa Clara hit .068. Game scores were 30-32, 25-30, 30-12, 30-25, and 12-15.
“We made a lot of young mistakes with our serving errors – we had 24, they had 15 – we can’t do that and win,” said Carolina Head Coach Kim Hudson Christopher. “Serving errors especially hurt us in game five. We played flat and slow tonight. We will be ready tomorrow.”
South Carolina recorded 15 service aces but committed 24 service errors – both season highs. Katelyn Panzau had a season high seven service errors but also had the highest hitting percentage, .364, for South Carolina. South Carolina also led the match in digs, 74-72. Thursday night witnessed 24 tie scores and 14 lead changes in the back and forth match.
Ford led Carolina in game one with four kills while four others notched three kills but Carolina could not stop Santa Clara’s Becky Potter who recorded seven kills for the Broncos. Despite out hitting Santa Clara .255 to .180, Santa Clara had two more kills and five less service errors. Carolina’s defensive efforts showed as the Gamecocks posted five total team blocks to Santa Clara’s two.
South Carolina jumped out to a 13-8 lead in game two but Santa Clara fought back to tie the game at 19. After tying the match three times, Santa Clara jumped out to a 24-23 lead and never looked back. South Carolina out killed the Broncos 17-10 in game two but committed seven service errors.
The Garnet and Black came alive in game three, winning 30-12 and holding Santa Clara to the lowest points scored of any Gamecock opponent in a game this season. The Gamecocks went on a 9-1 run to end the game. Ford once again led Carolina with five kills and the Gamecocks brought the serving game up, notching four service aces to three service errors.
Carolina held on to a 30-25 win in game four as Carolina held the Broncos to a -.116 hitting percentage. USC hit .093 in the game and out-blocked Santa Clara 4-1. Shonda Cole stepped up and led the Gamecocks with five kills with Iris Santos adding four.
USC was out hit in game five .250 to .150 and fell 15-12 for the 3-2 match loss. Carolina squares off against Duke Friday night in the Gamecock Invitational at 7 p.m.
