Next Match:
at Saint Mary’s
11/2/2024 | 1 p.m.
Nov. 02 (Sat) / 1 p.m.
at Saint Mary’s
SAN DIEGO – In a challenging matchup on Thursday, Oct. 31, the Santa Clara women’s volleyball team suffered a decisive defeat against the San Diego Toreros, with a final score of 3-0. This significant loss took place at the Jenny Craig Pavilion in San Diego, California. Alayna Crabtree stood out for the Broncos, delivering a commendable performance with 13 kills, achieving a noteworthy hitting percentage of .304, marking her second highest of the season. Additionally, Nive Tuileta contributed 14 assists, while Macy Hinshaw added another 11 assists in the effort.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Set one was characterized by intense competition, as both teams exchanged points until San Diego (12-7, 7-2) made a pivotal move by scoring five consecutive points to establish a 12-7 advantage. Although the Broncos managed to narrow the gap to 14-11, thanks to an ace from Grace Flanagan, San Diego quickly responded with two points, extending their lead to 16-11, then later to 21-13. Santa Clara attempted a comeback, closing the score to 21-15, yet San Diego seized the momentum, scoring four out of the final five points to clinch the first set 25-16.
- In the second set, both teams continued to showcase their skills as the scores remained close until San Diego pulled ahead, scoring two consecutive points for a 14-11 lead. The Broncos weren’t deterred, rallying back to narrow the score to 19-16 following a powerful kill from Elena Radeff. However, a service ace from San Diego put them up 23-18, and despite Santa Clara’s efforts to reduce the deficit to 23-20, San Diego ultimately wrapped up the set 25-21.
- The third set saw San Diego come out fiercely, scoring the first seven points uncontested. Santa Clara, showing resilience, fought back to cut the lead to 12-7 after a kill from Layla Truitt, and later managed to close in at 14-10. Unfortunately, a series of three consecutive points from San Diego extended their lead to 20-13. The Toreros finished strong, scoring three more points to take the set 25-17.
NOTABLE NUMBERS:
- Alayna Crabtree recorded 13 kills, marking her 13th game of the season in which she reached double figures.
- Crabtree’s hitting percentage of .304 was the second highest of her season, showcasing her offensive skill.
- Nive Tuileta and Macy Hinshaw both excelled in setting up plays, accumulating 14 and 11 assists, respectively.
UP NEXT: The Broncos are set to face Saint Mary’s in an away match on Saturday, Nov. 2, at 1 p.m. Following this, they will return to the Leavey Center for two home matches against Oregon State on Thursday, Nov. 7, at 6 p.m., followed by a showdown against Portland on Saturday, Nov. 9, at 1 p.m.
**Interview with Alayna Crabtree, Santa Clara Women’s Volleyball Player**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Alayna! Let’s start with the recent match against San Diego. It was a tough loss, but you had a standout performance with 13 kills. How are you feeling about your individual performance in that game?
**Alayna Crabtree:** Thanks for having me! I’m definitely proud of my individual performance, but at the end of the day, volleyball is a team sport. We played hard, but we just couldn’t seem to find our rhythm against San Diego. They are a challenging team, and while I felt good on the court, it’s disappointing to come away with a loss.
**Editor:** That’s an admirable perspective. Can you tell us a bit about the first set? It seemed like a tightly contested battle before San Diego pulled ahead.
**Alayna Crabtree:** Absolutely. The first set was very competitive. We started strong and were able to go back and forth, but they made some key plays that put us on the defensive. After they went on that five-point run, we struggled to regain control. We tried to fight back, especially with Grace’s ace, but it just wasn’t enough.
**Editor:** Moving forward, you have a match against Saint Mary’s coming up on November 2nd. What are the team’s focus areas as you prepare for this match?
**Alayna Crabtree:** We’re focusing on communication and working as a cohesive unit. We need to tighten our defense and make sure we’re supporting each other on every play. We also want to capitalize on our strengths, like our serving and offensive strategies. Saint Mary’s is always a tough opponent, so we need to be ready to battle.
**Editor:** It sounds like you have a clear plan! How important is it for the team to bounce back after a tough loss like the one against San Diego?
**Alayna Crabtree:** It’s crucial. Every match is an opportunity to learn and grow. We can’t dwell too much on the loss; instead, we need to use it as motivation to come back stronger. The spirit of this team is strong, and we believe in each other. Bouncing back is part of our character, and we’re ready to make a statement against Saint Mary’s.
**Editor:** Well, we wish you the best of luck in your next match! One last question: How can fans support you and the team in the upcoming game?
**Alayna Crabtree:** We love when fans show up and bring their energy! Whether it’s at the game or cheering us on from home, it means the world to us. The more support we have, the better we perform on the court. So, we invite everyone to come out and be part of the action!
**Editor:** Thank you, Alayna! Good luck against Saint Mary’s, and we look forward to seeing you back in action.
**Alayna Crabtree:** Thank you! We appreciate the support!
